tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72174718487495201422018-02-20T06:30:03.128+05:30Musings of an Unknown IndianI am an ordinary soul, an unknown Indian. Yet, I value my opinion enough to share it... and therefore, I blog.Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-86498182635460038182014-03-30T02:28:00.000+05:302014-03-30T02:28:38.619+05:30Dear Life by Alice Munro<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5FzQWVKzvdM/Uzb0AmB9vBI/AAAAAAAAFYg/k2MhAZkhHow/s1600/dear-life.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5FzQWVKzvdM/Uzb0AmB9vBI/AAAAAAAAFYg/k2MhAZkhHow/s1600/dear-life.jpeg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Alice Munro</i></span>, the <span class="readable">doyenne of Canadian literature,</span> is primarily known for her short stories and has published several collections over the years. She won the Man Booker International prize in 2009.&nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">(On a side note: Why is it called the 'Man' Booker? Maybe overly-enthusiastic title sponsorship. It was called the <span class="snippetanswerpost">Booker-McConnell Prize</span> or simply the Booker Prize from 1969-2001. ... Umm, at least it's not called the Adonis Prize.)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Winning the Nobel Prize in Literature 2013 perhaps enhanced Munro's reputation as a master of short fiction. <span class="readable">The celebrated author </span>announced her retirement at the age of 82 (last year). She is, perhaps, looking forward to doing something more sociable and less exacting than writing. Fame, or for that matter, the Nobel Prize, sit lightly on her unfazed shoulders. Apparently, she was simply unaware that there was a certain literature prize in the offing. One of her daughters woke her up with the news.<i>&nbsp;</i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Dear Life</i> <span class="readable">is Munro's most recent collection of short stories. </span>... I've never read her until now, so cannot quite share my thoughts vis-a-vis this book against her 14 other collections of stories.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span class="readable">T</span>his 2012 collection, republished in 2013 (possibly in celebration of the literature prize), is (thus) the valedictory of what has been a sparkling yet unpretentious literary career, unaffected by the paraphernalia of widespread recognition or accolades (rare public appearances, modesty - that rare virtue)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">. The last four stories "are not quite stories... one that is autobiographical in feeling" - the closest to an autobiography, that is. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Munro is a gifted storyteller; her writing is clearheaded, concise, thoughtful, sometimes lighthearted, sometimes entertaining, open endings, a somewhat wiser perspective, non judgmental (like Satyajit Ray framing his universe through the lens of his vision), no pretentious or flowery language, no overstretching of metaphors, no lofty cliché-induced sentences that purport to make a point but don't. Attention to detail is meticulous, although her prose and stories are quite unlike those of (e.g.) Roald Dahl, O. Henry, Mark Twain, R. K. Narayan, Ruskin Bond or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Not quite Kiplingesque. Not quite Tolstoy-esque or Hemingwayesque in scope either. Chekhovian perhaps. Somewhat Tolstoynian - in that the situation or circumstance is the protagonist. The 14 stories spanning across 13 to 30+ pages cannot be read back-to-back, any more than one would attempt to read 14 novels back-to-back. Each needs to settle in the mind, it requires processing; they resonate very differently on the palate and possess the heft of a Russian novel, reminiscent of old-fashioned Russian literature. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">The stories in this collection is neither obscure scholarly stuff, nor the <span class="readable">nebulous kind of short story that leaves one wondering what is it that one read and why it was written. They aren't cynical or satirical either</span>. Instead, t<span class="readable">hese stories are mini-novels/novellas; they have characters and storyline... and offer a glimpse into a bygone era. It is </span>a series of simple tales of everyday life and aspects of human nature woven together in spare but easily understandable language. The author explores the what-could-have-been or the <span class="readable">wonder of what might have been</span>- an action not taken<span class="readable"> at a significant moment, a lifetime spent in contemplation... wondering why not,</span> <span class="readable">small choices, imperceptible shifts and incremental changes that at some point down the line, eventually result in a change of destination, unacknowledged mutualism between individuals (that form quite naturally), </span>and the like. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Poor decisions and quirky characters: endearing and hopeless, hesitant and persistent, courteous and snooty, loudmouth and incurious, characters that seem to make a cameo appearance, mundane writ large... but who eventually transform the narrative. ~ The casual is crucial. The ordinary is extraordinary. Later in the book, Ms. Munro states, "We say of some things that they can't be forgiven, or that we will never forgive ourselves. But we do - we do it all the time". This is a recurring theme in her stories. ~ That humans are not perfect, they do things they are not proud of, so much so they may even end up hating themselves... but there is a letting go of bitterness and forgiveness eventually. And that, despite anguish or despondency, it is possible "to put one foot ahead of the other".</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Most of the stories are not contemporary; some are <span class="readable">set in post-war Canada, while others </span>take place in the countryside and rural towns around Lake Huron in Ontario, around the time of the Second World War, probably because the author herself grew up in <span class="readable">rural Canada in the earlier half of twentieth century, far from the turmoil experienced by her contemporaries in Europe. ~ However, despite her </span>sparse prose<span class="readable"> the</span>average reader can vividly imagine each tale's surroundings. Here are a few lines from "Amundsen": '<i>Then there was silence, the air like ice. Brittle-looking birch trees with black marks on their white bark, and some kind of small untidy evergreens rolled up like sleepy bears. The frozen lake not level but mounded along the shore, as if the waves had turned to ice in the act of falling. ... </i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Everything austere and northerly, black-and-white... So still, so immense an enchantment. </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><i>But the birch bark not white after all as you got closer. Grayish yellow, grayish blue, gray.</i>'<i> </i>~ The terrain is so bleak that the sky is "so immense an enchantment". But as the young woman (Vivien) gazes on her new environment, the subtle shift in perception is palpable. Where initially</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> she sees only black and white, it is not quite enough; she will also need to see various shades of gray. </span></span></span>And she does. She learns to see, accept and respond to her new environment/situation/circumstance. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Munro describes her surroundings in rural Ontario: '<i>Beyond the river was a patch of dark evergreen trees, probably cedar but too far away to tell. And even farther away, on another hillside, was another house, quite small at that distance... that was to me like a dwarf's house in a story.</i>'</span></span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">'<i>Then a bridge was built across the river, and it began to dawn on people how much more convenient it would be to live over on the other side, on higher ground, and the original settlement dwindled away to the disreputable, and then just peculiar, half-village...</i>'</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Munro is a curious writer, not merely a chronicler or bystander. Through the words flowing out of her pen, through her gaze upon the world, she shines a light upon the lives of ordinary people in small-town humdrum life.<span class="readable"> </span>Her innovative stories, <span class="readable">ordinary stories about ordinary people, </span>absorb and reflect all of these facets - a veritable mélange of emotions and whatnot: pain, dismay, torpor, wrinkles, challenge - to walk the line between stress and boredom, leisure, understanding, kindness, energy, surprise, flippancy, eccentricity, gaping solitude, despair, caricature, exaggeration, departures and beginnings, merriment and grievances, bittersweet and humourous, reflective and nostalgic, <span class="readable">forward-looking and hopeful,</span> transformation, homecomings - both symbolic and real, redemption or better times; through the spiritual and unifying, through human passions and shortcomings, through a patch of light on bark or walls, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">through the ordinary, mundane and human. </span></span></span>~ To summarize, <span class="readable">Ms. Munro brings forth the essence of a certain kind of people as they existed in a certain place and era - two generations ago, </span>including the humiliations of being a woman when merely expressing an opinion was considered unbecoming.<span class="readable"> The female characters in her stories are (sort of) in pursuit of happiness and/or freedom from their sense of limitation, constraint or emptiness in the world they inhabited; her prose brings forth the possibility and responsibility that come with that pursuit/attempt/effort; the men they leave behind aren't stereotypical bad or villainous. The stories are free-flowing and somewhat open-ended, t</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span class="readable">here are no contrived endings. Instead, there's an unshowy gentleness, an insightful subtle thoughtfulness, a pellucid straightforwardness even... </span>sometimes finishing with a lightness that is both liberating and agreeable. There's <span class="readable">something in the stories that is vaguely old-fashioned - in the best way.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Animals' drinking tins, a swing in the hammock, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">a few bits of puffed rice floating in the excess milk, corn niblets, </span></span></span>eating chili out of clay pots, butter (actually margarine coloured in the kitchen), warming oven, woodpiles and clotheslines, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">turkey egg, porridge, shepherd's pie, bran muffin, </span></span></span>the long curve of the river and the fields and the trees and the sunsets, woodstoves, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">fresh jam (made from wild berries), </span></span></span>ancient skates, quilts already in tatters, a knitting factory, a foundry making old-fashioned stoves that were sold all over the world, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">cottage roll, strong black tea, homemade pie, Rice Krispies, pancakes and maple syrup, </span></span></span>etc coexist alongside streetlights and running water, golf, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Matilda and Stephen, Rhett Butler, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">fiction and poetry, steaming hot coffee, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">town library, </span></span></span>doughnut shop, the thumping piano, spaghetti, omelettes, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">instant mashed potatoes, canned peas, </span></span></span></span></span></span>little cakes topped with shredded coconut, diamond- or crescent-shaped shortbread, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">cello and violin, </span></span></span>chocolate wafers, peanut butter sandwich and apple pie.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Munro is not quite a feminist writer (whatever that means) or an unembarrassed chronicler of particular abjection of being female (given the setting and arc of her stories). Instead, her stories contain whiffs of dry humour with perceptive young women wryly observing men's desire for dominance and other women's collusion with their own subsidiarity. In "Haven", a young woman staying with an uncle and aunt (while her parents are in Africa) sees firsthand the manner in which the uncle continually undermines his wife, or his (rather inexplicable) extreme dislike of a musically talented sibling. (Could it be that being music-illiterate he felt inadequate?) "There was a quantity of things that men hated..." the young woman observes. "Or had no use for, as they said. And that was exactly right. They had no use for it, so they hated it."<span class="readable"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">Munro tells women's and to some extent men's lives perceptively and deftly</span>. A snippet from "Dolly": "<i>I had thought how men are charmed by stubborn quirks if the girl is good-looking enough. Of course that has gone out of fashion. At least I hope it has. All that delight in the infantile female brain. </i>(...<i> they told me there was a time, not long ago, when women never taught mathematics. Weakness of intellect prevented it.</i>)"</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book feels good to hold; hardly any editing errors. The jacket-cover is eye-catching - quite lively. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's a dusk to dawn light feel.&nbsp;<i>Alice Munro</i> appears in a mellow shade of yellow. <i>Dear Life</i> is embossed in white. </span></span></span>Maple leaves - the most widely recognised national symbol/emblem of Canada is also representative of the passing seasons and their rhythms. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></u></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></u></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Details of the book</span></u><span style="color: #783f04;">: </span></b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">Dear Life</span></i><span style="color: #134f5c;">/ Author: Alice Munro/ Publisher: Vintage Books, an imprint of Random House India/ Binding: Paperback/ Language: English/ Publishing Date: July 2013/ Genre: Fiction/ ISBN-10: 978-0-099-57864-2/ ISBN-13: 9780099578642/ Pages: 336/ Price: INR 450.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #741b47;">Picture</span></u><span style="color: #741b47;">:</span></b><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket cover of <i>Dear Life.</i> Courtesy: randomhouse.</span></span></span></div></div>Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-55231974063597849462014-03-07T05:17:00.001+05:302014-03-24T03:35:29.602+05:30Holi, etc.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Vasant</span>' comes from the word 'spring' as this festival (Vasant/Basant Panchami, also: Shree Panchami or Sarasvati Puja) heralds the beginning of the spring season. New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees... with the promise of new life (rejuvenation) and hope. ['<span style="color: #4c1130;">Naba Anande Jaago</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JksQUh93ZAg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span>.] ~ Vasant Panchami also announces the arrival of another big springtime event - <span style="color: #4c1130;">Holi</span>, the festival of colours.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Holi' comes from the word 'hola', meaning to offer oblation or prayer to the Almighty as Thanksgiving for good harvest.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Holi</span>, amongst the most distinct festivals of India, evokes the buoyant spirit of the spring season. Well known for its exuberant and colourful celebrations, Holi in India stirs up excitement among people. Falling in the month of March/April, Holi celebrates the spring season and renewal. ... Coming forth with the full flush of life, the invigorating air of Holi festivities spreads into the lives of people. ~ Celebrated with energy and revelry, the fervour of Holi pervades everyone - the young and the young-at-heart alike. The essence of Holi festival is acknowledging and celebration of the spirit of oneness (cohesion), of unadulterated joy ~ to reset and renew... shunning/submerging all negativism, conflict and ill-will. ~ Holi has a special musical flavour. Traditional dishes include <i>malpoa</i>,<i>kheer sandesh, basanti sandesh</i>,<i> chaler payesh</i> (rice pudding) etc. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>Holi 2014: March 17/18. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Here are a few Tagorean compositions celebrating Basanta Utsab (spring festival). ~ The beauty and depth of Rabindra-sangeet (Tagore's magnificent music) is beyond description</i>:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ananter Baani Tumi</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdrXAddkJbs"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Phagun Haowaay Haowaay</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQWcZrsYfhc"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Phaguner Nabin Anande</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMZDDBfCeew"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ore Bhai Phagun Legechhe</span>' (composed with Raag Basant): <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrgqrq_aT5A"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Basante Phool Ganthlo</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12qhsDhaWHg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aaji Basanta Jagrata Dvarey</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYMLFTDl9yw"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ore Grihabashi Khol Dvar Khol</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sTT8pVFOl8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Neel Digante Oi Phuler Agun Laglo</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c7eHkrR4SM"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aji Jhara Jhara Mukharo Badoro Diney</span>': </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">li</span></a></i></b></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8">nk</a></i></b></span>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mor Bhabonare Ki Haowaay Matalo</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_7EErY7y_U"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... and the delectable '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aji Dakhino Duar Khola</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgrkH0H9Shg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ As we know, Shamsundar Krishn is the personification of the king of seasons - <span style="color: #660000;"><i>Rituraj</i></span> Basant.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.35: <i>|| </i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</i></span><i> || </i>~ "and of seasons I am spring."</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Heralding the onset of spring, Basant Panchami celebrates nature as beautiful flowers and greenery starts to blossom in all its glory. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the first day of spring, the fifth day (Panchami) of Shukla Paksha (the fortnight of the waxing moon) of Magh Masa (month) - January-February. ... Vasanta Panchami, which marks the end of winter and heralds in spring, is dedicated to Goddess Sarasvati - the goddess of speech and learning, who blesses the world with <i>vach</i> (words) and the wealth of knowledge. This day is also commemorated by praying to Lord Krishna. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ It is the festival/celebration of the king of all seasons: Spring/Basant. ~ It commences from spring season and carries up to Panchami of Krishna Paksha of Falgun month, i.e. it begins with Makarasankranti and ends with Mahashivratri. [Holi is celebrated at the approach of vernal equinox, on the Phalgun Purnima (Full Moon) ~ on the last full moon day of the lunar month, Phalgun.]</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vasant or Basant is especially considered significant for lovers of art and education (wisdom and intellectual pursuits, not merely text-bookish knowledge or classroom schooling).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The day of Vasant/Basant Panchami is considered to be the beginning of new life. Spring season is the season of rebirth and bloom. Fields of yellow mustard charm the heart. Wheat crop starts swaying like gold. Colourful flowers start blossoming. ... The day of <i>Basanta Utsab</i> is (thus) celebrated as the welcoming of colours and happiness.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aanandadhaara Bohichhe Bhubane</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixxBkJzhX_M"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aami Ki Gaan Gaabo Je</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peggifX7FVE"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is: '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Esho Shyamala Sundara</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjomhLcv3KU"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">... Coming before us as personified spring is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Shyamsundar Krishn</span> ~ full of colour, joy, and ecstasy and dressed as a daring dramatic dancer. Krishn means "all-attractive" (shyAmaH or kRiShNa means black - kaalah [all-absorbing/Ghanshyam.] Black does not reflect light. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the case of black, all the colours making up white light are absorbed which makes that object appear black). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Krishn is "all-attractive" - at his charming and captivating best - with a magical power to hold us spellbound. He looks like the full moon surrounded by its entourage of stars. His effulgent white turban appears especially splendid sitting obliquely on his head. It is decorated with bunches of flowers, sprinkled with fragrant reddish powder (pollen or "gulaal", or maybe even the flaming-red Gulmohar, also known as "Krishnachura" or 'crown of Krishna'), and surrounded by butterflies shaking his peacock feathered-crest. His curly dark blue hair is tied back, and he wears glittering yellow garments (Peetabasa; pitaH or HaridrabhaH = yellow in Sanskrit) just suitable for the spring season. A sachet of camphor is tucked in his gem-studded belt. ... While listening to the <i>vasanta raga</i> (i.e. the melody and the ecstasy of spring), Krishn holds a flute in his left hand and a ball of red powder (gulaal) in his right hand. Overjoyed at the sight of Krishna, the forest creepers display ecstatic dance. The gentle breezes from the Malayan Hills appear as a <i>guru</i> to teach them how to dance. The beautiful mango groves with their blossoming flowers ap­pear like exuberant laughter... and illuminate the grove with pleasant effulgence. Bumblebees, cuckoos, and other exotic birds hum and warble pleasingly. The creepers dance along according to the instructions of the wind. The spring season arrives in the form of a playful lion cub showing his teeth as the stamens of the flowers. The south­ern breezes force the chills of winter to depart. It appears as if the nostrils of personified time has now opened and started breathing in and out. ['<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aanandadhvani Jaagao Gagane</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPZUa-maRlk"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b><i>.</i>]<i> </i>~ The juncture of winter and spring seem like the period between child­hood and adolescence. Creepers explode with new buds. There are abundant colours all around. The cuckoos sing a sweet melody. ... It seems as if the buds, birds, and breezes all awaited the depar­ture of the winter season. With the disappearance of winter, the forests and trees beam with delight... and welcome the spring season with plentiful colours and the sweet fragrances of fresh flowers. The <i>camari</i>deer prepared the stage by clearing the forest floor with their bushy tails. Wandering <i>kasturi</i> deer scented the air with the heady fra­grance of musk. ~ The creepers appear to be smeared with rich aromas. Even humans lose their lethargy and feel a new energy flowing through them. Delighted, they submerge in an ocean of joy and gaiety. There is <i>gulaal</i>, flying of colourful (and even innovatively designed) kites, sumptuous feast and unlimited happiness during the Holi festival. A new zeal of life can be seen coming in all around. Colourful flowers decorate the earth. Swarms of butterflies dance in mid-air and waltz among the flowering creepers. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Krishn (personified spring) - the epitome of cool, the ocean of elegance, appears like a dramatic artist dressed in colourful garments. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hopeful, festive, fresh flavour, evergreen, vibrant - a <i>raag</i> that is suitable for singing in the evenings, a <i>raag</i> that ushers in the festive spirit and one that dispels pessimism and instills hope - it's the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>raag</i> Vasant</span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Vasant" means springtime, and this <i>raag</i> has been suitably named since all that is associated with it is hope and positivity. Vasant is a lively <i>raag</i>and the happiness it exudes is endearing and irresistible.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shyamsundar, whose joy­ous nature spreads in all directions, fills the horizon with the reflection of his enchanting <b><span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span></b>blue complexion. ~ Whose mind participating in this flourishing festi­val of spring will not elate?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... All this is of course allegorical. <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">The spring season is described ~ with Krishn as personified spring. </span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The dance is the <span style="color: #4c1130;">Divine Dance</span> - the fascinating picturesque dance of colours - between <i>Purusha</i> (Cosmic Energy or Primal Creative Energy - <i>unmanifested</i> Purusha + its embodiment or manifestation) and <i>Prakriti</i>(Manifested Nature). ~ Between the Creator and Created. Between the Infinite and finite. Between the Eternal and the evanescent.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishn is Hari (haritaH or PalashaH means green in Sanskrit) ~ and so, is also depicted as wrapped in cool cyan - bluish green). neelaH = blue. ~ He is <i>Kshiteeshah</i>: The Partner (allegorically speaking) of the earth/nature.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">HA= sky<br />RA= fire<br />I= energy<br />HARI = effulgent omnipresent omnipotent omniconscient cosmic energy.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rudra Gayatri Mantra: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>yo rudro agnau yo apsu ya oṣadhīṣu yo rudro viśvā bhuvanā viveśa tasmai rudrāya namo astu</i></span> || ~ "To the Rudra who is fire, who is in water, who is in trees and plants, who has entered into the entire Universe, to that Rudra let our salutations go." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rudra-Siva's depiction is allegorical (<i>refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></span></span></a></b></i></span>) but the face is feminine.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The Milky Way galaxy itself was seen as the path of Aryaman<span style="color: #351c75;"> (the noble one) or the Ganges (the name etymologically related to going) of the sky (akash-ganga). ~ </span>Here is '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Taba Charana Nimney</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO1QVhcyv2w"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.<span style="color: #660000;"><b> | </b></span>Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Suneel Saagorer Shyamal Kinaarey</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXHg9HPTHdg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ Songs by Rajanikanta Sen is known as "Rajanikanter Gaan". Tagore's compositions are called "Rabindrasangeet" - Tagore's magnificent music.]</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ayi Bhuban Mano Mohini</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIvodHT2v04"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span>. [~ This song is Tagore's celebration of nature during springtime. The sublime verses also celebrate Goddess Sarasvati and Goddess Parvati <i>as</i> Rudra-Siva. ~ This song should also help us understand just who the Mohini-avatar is. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>Mohini = rare, uncommon. ~ The Krishn-avatar, a male, is also known as "Mohan". Therefore, "Mohini" is simply the feminine of "Mohan"... and is indicative of a female. The 'Sudarshan Chakra' - the combination of Ajna chakra (the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra) and Sahasrara (the 7<sup>th</sup> chakra or crown chakra - the highest chakra) is associated with this avatar. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Heye Khaniker Atithi</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W2JjXbO1lE"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>link</b></i></span></span></a>. ('<i>Ogo akoruun (wily one), ki maya (guile/brilliant manoeuvres) jano, milanchhaley biraha aano</i>'.) </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The Mohini-avatar acquired the (metaphoric/allegoric) pot of 'ambrosia' from the malevolent entities ~ via diplomacy and ample use of guile, then returned it to the positive forces, thereby enabling the latter to regain their mojo or pre-eminence. Thus, the machinations of the malevolent or negative entities came to a naught. (~ The positive entities of course had to perform their collaborative, sustained and tangible karm-yog - to regain that pre-eminence.) ... This tale too can well be an allegorical tale, applicable to all eras/yugs.]<span style="color: #660000;"> <b>|</b></span> The Indus seal depicting a Tiger Lady or Tiger Goddess is (very likely) the depiction of Rudra-Siva. The glyphs also show a trishul. ~ <span class="text">The tiger probably indicates Rudra-Siva's valiant nature. [</span><i>shoorah-veerah</i>(the valiant); <i>vikramee</i> (the most daring).] ~ <span class="text">Trishul could be a reference to a group of three Himalayan mountain peaks. Or it could be an allegory for the three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Sarasvati. Or both. [The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the Sarasvati is known as Triveni Sangam or Prayag. Triveni and Trishul; tri = three. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Some poets assert that while sangam is a popular word for a confluence of rivers, this particular confluence was called Sangayam, to represent the meeting of Sarasvati (sa), Ganga (ga) and Yamuna (yam). Sangayam could mean, to flow together.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ </span>Rivers and cows are often poetically correlated in the Rig Veda. (~ Cows emerging out of mountains - is a reference to various rivers; in the Arya or noble 'way of life' rivers and water-bodies were not polluted). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> This should <i>also</i> help us understand what 'cows' are associated with Krishn. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Gopa = ruler, king or monarch. ~ BG 10.27: || <span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">narāṇāḿ ca narādhipam</span> || ~ </i>"and among humans I am the monarch" (Cakravartin - a sagacious and sensible consensus-builder, someone with a broader outlook/vision, an able leader and administrator + guardian [protector/preserver and guide].)</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">BG 10.24: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and of bodies of water I am the ocean." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ It is a reference to the mighty River Indus, perhaps the largest of all rivers in the world after the Nile - Sanskrit: Nilah or Neel. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sarasam also indicates <i>saras</i> - meaning: gracefully flowing. <i>Saras </i>or<i> Sarasa</i> means spring, pool or fountain. <i>Saras</i> or Sarasa can also indicate SarasvatI. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ The Sarasvati River is an important river goddess in the Rig Veda. The Sanskrit name means, "having many pools". The Sanskrit name for the River Indus is Sindhu. "Sindhu" means <i>river</i>, <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">.</span>] </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">The Sindhu and SarasvatI are mentioned repeatedly, respectfully and glowingly in the Rig Veda</span>. <span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The region between the Sindhu and Sarasvati rivers were regarded by the Rig Vedic people as the holiest of holy grounds - Brahmadesa. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The two rivers nourished tall majestic trees, plants and flowers. The SarasvatI River is an important river goddess in the Rig Ved ~ whose banks served as fertile soil for the growth of&nbsp;ancient Vedic&nbsp;culture. ~ </span>The spectacular scenery and the might of Indus had inspired the composition of hymns on Sindhu (Sanskrit name for the River Indus). Thousands of years ago the might of the Sindhu and Sarasvati had given birth to the oldest and largest civilization of the ancient world - the Arya Civilization (also known as the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization or 'Aryavarsha'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "The Rivers have come forward triply, seven and seven. Sindhu in might surpasses all the streams that flow." Its power is praised as mighty and unrestrained, of independent glory, roaring as it runs. Other rivers roar into the Sindhu. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">[BG 10.24: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and of bodies of water I am the ocean." </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sindhu" means <i>river</i>, <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">.</span></span></span>] As a warrior-king leads other warriors, so does Sindhu lead other rivers. The Indus, considered sacred, is further described as the lord and leader of the moving floods, active as a dappled mare, mighty as a bellowing bull, kind as a mother to her calves, rich in gold, rich in ample wealth ~ for whom Varuṇa, the water god, cut the channels for its forward course. ~ "His roar is lifted up to heaven above the earth: he puts forth endless vigour with a flash of light. Like floods of rain that fall in thunder from the cloud, so Sindhu rushes on bellowing like a bull. ... Sindhu, unto thee the roaring rivers run. Thou leadest as a warrior king thine army's wings what time thou comest in the van of these swift streams. Most active of the active, Sindhu unrestrained, like to a dappled mare, beautiful, fair to see. Rich in good steeds is Sindhu, rich in robes, rich in gold, nobly-fashioned, rich in ample wealth. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blest Silamavati and young Urnavati invest themselves with raiment rich in store of sweets. Sindhu hath yoked her car, light-rolling, drawn by steeds, and with that car shall she win..." </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">[BG 10.27: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">uccaiḥśravasam aśvānāḿ viddhi mām</span> || ~ </i>"</span><span class="text">Of horses know Me to be Uccaiḥśravā."</span></span>]</span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span><span style="font-size: small;">A masculine river is called "Nad", a feminine one "Nadi". ~ Of all the Vedic rivers, the Sindhu is both masculine and feminine.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Note</u>:&nbsp;</span> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">The </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">SarasvatI is (also) called "<span style="color: #4c1130;">she with seven sisters</span>" (saptasvasā). ~ T<span class="bodyarl">he 'Sapta Sindhu' ("seven rivers" - </span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ</span><span style="color: #351c75;">; "Sindhu" means <i>river</i>, <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">) refers to the rivers SuturI (Sutlej), VipASa (Beas), </span><span class="unicode">AsiknI </span><span class="bodyarl">(Chenab), ParuSNI (Ravi), VitastA (Jhelum), Sindhu (Indus) and</span>probably KubhA. | 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' ~ does this fairy tale allude to SarasvatI and the seven rivers - "she with seven sisters" (saptasvasā)? ~ The story may have undergone several variations and/or may have been largely unrelated.]</span><i> </i></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati</span> represent the divine forces in play in the growth, expansion and evolution of the Universe. This aspect of the growth of the Universe is thus steeped with the knowledge of all that has transpired since the moment of Creation and continues to drive the further evolution of the Universe. This driving force of knowledge is called as the divinity <i>Sarasvati</i>as it is a knowledge that continues to flow through the expanse of the cosmos gracefully and incessantly like waves. [<i>Saras</i> means gracefully flowing.] ~ This knowledge power forms the root for all forms of knowledge, speech (vak), skill, arts, fine arts, craft etc. ~ <i>Sarasvati</i> is therefore the divinity that promotes the development of all of these capabilities in mankind, society and civilization.<b><span style="color: #660000;"><i>&nbsp;</i>|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Goddess Sarasvati is (thus) Vishva Nath - Sovereign or Monarch (Nath) of the Universe and Lord of Creation<span class="text">. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">~ She is Mahat - Higher Soul or Guiding Spirit. (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Mahat</span> means literally the Great One, and is also interpreted as meaning universal mind or cosmic intelligence</span>). Goddess Sarasvati is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Ishvari</span> - the Cosmic Entity (~ Cosmic Ruler and Cosmic Teacher/Steward-mentor - the Primordial or Primal Being). She is the motive power and guiding spirit (Mahat) behind the mathematically precise universes. She is the supreme power/authority of the universe/cosmos - <span class="text"><i>adhaataa</i> (above whom there is no other). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goddess Sarasvati is </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>also</i> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the </span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>manifestation</i></span> of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Primal Creative Energy' (~ known as 'Aadi Shakti' or 'Brahm-jyotih' - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the Absolute OM - </span></span></span>the&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">impersonal (nirguna), <i>unmanifested</i> or avyaktah, Niraakar Brahmn - </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cosmic Light or Light Divine. In other words: divine effulgence</span></span></span></span></span></span>). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Aadi = Primal or Primordial; Shakti = Creative Energy; Aadi Shakti = </span>Primal Creative Energy. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Goddess Sarasvati is <i>thus</i> the </span>highest possible conception of the impersonal (nirguna), <i>unmanifested</i> or avyaktah, Niraakar Brahmn (the <i>Absolute</i> OM - Cosmic Light or Light Divine or divine effulgence - <span class="textexposedshow"><i>Brahm-jyotih </i>or 'Aadi Shakti</span>' - Primal Creative Energy). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goddess Sarasvati is (thus)<i> <span style="color: #0c343d;">manifested</span></i> Brahmn - vyaktah, saguna, Saakar Brahmn. She is therefore, <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Omswaroop</i></span> - manifestation of the Absolute OM - Cosmic Light or Light Divine (~ '</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">Brahm-jyotih'<i> </i>or 'Aadi Shakti</span>' - Divine Effulgence)</span></span></span>. Hence, She is also known as <span style="color: #4c1130;">Brahm-putri</span>. <span class="textexposedshow">[Here, 'putri' = manifestation, personification or embodiment.]</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">Thus, it is said: The <span style="color: #4c1130;">seen</span>(<i>manifested</i> - vyaktah, Saakar, saguna Brahmn) and the <span style="color: #4c1130;">unseen</span> (impersonal,<i> unmanifested</i>- nirguna, avyaktah, Niraakar Brahmn) are both one. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Thus the <i>Absolute</i> OM ('Brahm-Jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti') and Mahat (Higher Soul or Guiding Spirit - universal mind, cosmic intelligence) or Ishvari (the Cosmic Entity</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> - Cosmic Ruler and Cosmic Teacher/Steward-mentor - the Primordial or Primal Being</span></span></span>) are both one.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">The Devi Mahatmyam ('The Magnanimity of the Goddess', also known as </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">the Sri Sri chandipATh) celebrates both the aspects (manifested and unmanifested OM). </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">~ Here is '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Pratham Aadi Taba Shakti</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaiWBB4sW-4"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b><i>.</i></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<i>Tumi Aadikabi, Kabiguru tumi heye</i>' ~ Maharshi Valmiki is known as "Aadikavi". <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore says that Valmiki overcame his negative karma (prarabda karma) and compiled the Ramayana ('The Exertions of Sri Ram') - due to Goddess Sarasvati's blessings. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore himself is called "Bishwa-Kabi", which means the poet of the world (universal bard), he is sometimes also called "Kabiguru", which means the guru of poets. His genius enriched whatever it touched. ~ In this composition Tagore hints at his source of inspiration; he also credits the Goddess for his multifaceted talent and vast oeuvre.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><b>........................................................................</b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>The impersonal (nirguna - without qualities) and unmanifested (avyaktah, niraakar - without form) Brahmn </i><i>(~ the <i>Absolute</i> OM - </i>'<i>Brahm-jyotih</i>'<i> or </i>'<i>Aadi Shakti</i>'<i> - Primal Creative Energy - Divine Effulgence or Cosmic Light)&nbsp;is defined as the one self-existent impersonal spirit - the Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return</i></span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The impersonal Absolute OM is beyond all thought. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Primal Creative Energy ('Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti') does not mean feminine energy. Energy has no form or gender. ~ Primal Cosmic Energy is <i>Purusha</i> - Cosmic Energy or Supreme Cosmic Spirit. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Cosmic Entity or Primal Being is <i>Purushottama</i> (Supreme Being) or Purushottama Satya - Supreme Godhead. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal Absolute OM is Omprakash (Cosmic Light or Light Divine). The Almighty is Omswaroop - manifestation of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">BG 11.12: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>divi surya-sahasrasya bhaved yugapad utthita yadi bhah sadrisi sa syad bhasas tasya mahatmanah</i></span> || ~ "If the radiance of a thousand suns were to suddenly come forth in the sky, that would be like the light of the (impersonal, <i>unmanifested - </i>nirguna, avyaktah, niraakar) Brahmn - the Absolute OM." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="textexposedshow">[Mahatmanah = Supreme Cosmic Energy. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is referring to the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Brahmn (the Absolute OM - Primal Creative Energy) - 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti' (i.e. Cosmic Light or Light Divine </span></span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow">- divine effulgence).</span>&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The impersonal (nirguna - without qualities), <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>unmanifested</i></span> or avyaktah, Niraakar Brahmn (the <i>Absolute</i> OM - Cosmic Light or Light Divine or divine effulgence - <span class="textexposedshow">'Brahm-jyotih</span>' or 'Aadi Shakti') is the light (divine effulgence) that impersonalists perceive in the <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Nirguna</span> </i>(without qualities) or<i> </i>unmanifested (avyaktah, Niraakar - formless) <i>mode</i> of God/Almighty.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">All</span> creation-related work is the work of Fire (i.e. Cosmic Fire - Cosmic Light, Light Divine - <i>Brahm-jyotih</i> or the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Aadi Shakti' - <span style="color: #4c1130;">Primal Creative Energy</span>.) ... The impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i>Brahmn (the <i>Absolute</i> OM) is <i>thus</i> revered as the <i>Supreme Creator</i>(Srashtaa).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ This is the basis of <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Advaita</i></span>(monism).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goddess Sarasvati is <span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Omswaroop</i></span> - manifestation of the Absolute OM<i> </i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(~ impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> '</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brahm-jyotih' / 'Brahma-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti'</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - Primal Creative Energy)</span></span></span>. </i>~ She is<i> </i>therefore, Brahm-putri or <span style="color: #4c1130;">Brahma-putri</span> - <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>manifestation</i></span> or personification of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM (~ </span>Cosmic Light or Light Divine or Divine Effulgence - impersonal </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti'</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">).</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Thus, Goddess Sarasvati is the Cosmic Entity... and can <i>also</i> be called the saguna, vyaktah, saakar Goddess Aadi Shakti.&nbsp;<span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM and the <i>manifested</i> OM (the Almighty - Cosmic Entity) together possesses the Power of the three cosmic phenomenons of Srsstti-Sthiti-Vinaashaanaam - i.e. the <span class="kword">Power</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution (~ </span><span class="kword">distinguished by the names: Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah/Rudra). </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ This is the basis of <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Dvaita</i></span>(dualism or duality).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Brahma-Vishnu-Shivah</span> is simply the names of the three <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>aspects</i></span> of the cosmic phenomenon of Creation,</span><span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution, respectively.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Keshavah - one who is the three. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Keshavah = <i>kah</i> Brahma, <i>ah</i> Vishnu and <i>Isa</i> Shiva ~ indicating the p<span class="kword">ower</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution (i.e. </span>the three <i>aspects</i> of the <span class="kword">cosmic phenomenon of </span><span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span> and <span class="kword">Dissolution). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">If we comprehend the Advaita and the Dvaita aspects we can then understand </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #4c1130;">what the Cosmic Trimurti of 'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu' and 'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi' indicates</span>. ~ The <i>first</i> Trimurti indicates the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM. The <i>second</i> Trimurti represents the <i>manifested</i> OM - the Almighty. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn is the Supreme Cosmic Spirit - <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Primal Creative Energy</i></span>. ~ The <i>manifested</i> Brahmn/OM or the Almighty - Universal Consciousness or universal mind or cosmic intelligence is the <i>manifestation</i> of the impersonal Absolute OM/Brahmn... and is therefore, the Higher Self or Supersoul - Atman or Param-atma. ... Thus, the latent spiritual energy within humans - kundalini energy - is associated with the Almighty.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword">~ The Cosmic Entity or Ishvari is </span><i>asankhyeyah</i><span class="kword"> (with </span>countless names and forms).<span class="kword"> She is also known as Narayan or Narayani. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Narayan or Narayani does not indicate gender; it means: refuge of all living entities. ~ Even Ishvar or Ishvari does not indicate gender; both mean: Cosmic Entity or Almighty.<b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The Cosmic Entity is also <i>kartaa</i>: The doer, <i>maargah</i>: The path, and <i>neyah</i>: The guide. [This is indicative of Her role as the Cosmic Ruler/Monarch + Cosmic Teacher and Steward-mentor.] ~ Thus, She is </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><i>Sarasvati</i> (the Creator) - and is, therefore, depicted along with the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic <i>Brahma</i> (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">the Supreme Creator or Srashtaa <i>aspect </i>of the Absolute OM)</span>. </span></span>Goddess Sarasvati/<span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword">Narayani is also the Stabilizer/Preserver/Maintainer - of all the worlds; thus She is depicted as<i> Lakshmi </i>alongside the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic <i>Vishnu</i> (the Sustainer/Maintainer or Preserver <i>aspect</i> of the Absolute OM). Goddess Sarasvati is also the manifestation of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy, the Absolute OM - and hence, She is </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword">(also) depicted as Shakti/Parvati alongside the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic Shiva (the dissolution <i>aspect </i>of the Absolute OM). ~ This should perhaps explain why Shiva and Rudra too have a syncretic form. The manifested, <i>saguna</i> Trimurti of 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' is the manifested Rudra. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span>The impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Aadi Shakti' or Absolute OM, as <i>Brahma</i> (</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">the Supreme Creator or <i>Srashtaa</i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword">) has created fourteen planetary systems; the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Aadi Shakti' or Absolute OM sustains, maintains and preserves the universe as <i>Vishnu</i> (the Stabilizer/Preserver/Maintainer of the cosmos) and dissolves the universe at the end of maha-kalpa as Shiva or Rudra. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">If we understand this, we will fully comprehend what </span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="kword">'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu' and 'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi' indicate, i.e. what the </span>holy <i>Trimurti</i> is all about.</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">If we understand the concept of Rudra-Shakti (the syncretic form ~ </span></span>to <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">create <i>brahma-ranhdra</i>, the transcendence of both) - all the aspects of the holy <i>trimurti</i> can be understood.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And then, we can also fully comprehend the following verses:</span></span></b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>|</b>| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>eko vai nārāyaṇa āsīn na brahmā na īśāno nāpo nāgni-samau neme dyāv-āp</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i> </i></span></b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>ṛthivī na</i><b><i> </i></b><i>nakṣatrāṇi na sūryaḥ</i></span> || ~ "In the beginning of the creation there was only<b> </b>the Primal/Primeval Being Nārāyaṇa. There was no Brahmā, no Śiva, no water, no fire,<b> </b>no<b> </b>moon, no stars in the sky, no sun."</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">|<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>nārāyaṇaḥ paro devas tasmāj jātaś caturmukhaḥ tasmād rudro 'bhavad devaḥ sa ca sarva-jñatāḿ gataḥ</i></span> || ~ "Nārāyaṇa is the Supreme/Primordial/Primeval Being ~ from whom Brahmā was born, from whom Śiva was born."</span></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">BG 15.12: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>yadaadityagatam tejo jagad bhaasayate'khilam yacchandramasi&nbsp; yacchaagnau tattejo viddhi maamakam</i></span> || </span><i>~ </i></b><i><span style="font-style: normal;">"That&nbsp; light which, residing in the sun, illumines the whole world, that which is in the moon and in the fire - know that light as Mine."</span></i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"You shine, all living things emerge. You disappear, they go to rest. Recognizing our innocence, O golden-haired Sun, arise; let each day be better than the last." ~&nbsp; the Rig Veda. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">BG 10.33: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>dhātāhaḿ viśvato-mukhaḥ</i></span>|| ~ "and of creators I am Brahmā."</span>&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.23: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i></span> || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-<span class="text">Śiva</span>].<span class="text"></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.33: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>aham evākṣayaḥ kālo</i></span> || ~ "I am also inexhaustible time."</span><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><i><br /></i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">And, BG 10.34: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatā</i>m</span> || ~ "I am all-consuming time, and I am the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be." (~ Alternatively: "I am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all that shall come into being.")</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="kword"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... And then, we will also understand&nbsp;why unlike the rigorous monism (Advaita) of the Upanishads, the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita <i>also</i> integrates dualism or duality (Dvaita) and theism (āstika).</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Upanishads: || As is the human body, so is the cosmic body<br />As is the human mind, so is the cosmic mind.<br />As is the microcosm, so is the macrocosm.<br />As is the atom, so is the universe ||</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ After a cycle of universal dissolution (when the manifest cosmos is completely dissolved), the Absolute OM recreates the cosmos. ~ The rest of the above verse possibly is indicative of some aspects of what the Large Hadron Collider is endeavouring to achieve.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Maybe</i>: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->After a cycle of universal dissolution </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(when the manifest cosmos is completely dissolved)</span></span></span></span>, the Absolute OM decides (in a manner of speaking) to recreate the cosmos so that we jiva-souls (individual souls or mere Self) can experience worlds of shape and solidity. <b>~ </b>Maybe: very subtle atoms begin to combine, eventually generating a cosmic wind that blows heavier and heavier atoms together. ~ Maybe: Jiva-souls, depending on their (cumulative) karma - earned in previous world systems, spontaneously draw to themselves atoms that coalesce into an appropriate body.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">On a side note: </span>This cumulative karma (including carried over prarabda karma or negative karma) probably <i>also</i> affects or impacts their lives ~ thereby shaping the societal or world conditions. ~ The resultant actions (including weakness of attitude, crudity - lack of refinement of thought, or misguided actions driven by base emotions such as avarice, malice etc) impact society. ~ It is human follies and frailties, failings, mindless acts, prejudices and so on that shape the societal and world conditions. ["Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character." <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds." ~ Albert Einstein.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>Human failings and follies cannot be ascribed to the Almighty or to destiny. [It is part of human prarabda karma or negative karma.]&nbsp; God is sublime. God is subtle. God integrates empirically. God does not play dice. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->"What destiny had in store" (meant in a negative or retrogressive connotation) - is part of a long list of callous and shallow idioms and colloquial sayings. It merely reflects the ignorance of those responsible for the coinage and perpetuation of such phraseology. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Various ailments and disorders too can be traced to health and hygiene issues, lifestyle issues, heredity, stress, environmental factors, chemical content, pollution, and so on. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." ~ Albert Einstein. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> E.g. 'test by fire' is indicative of hardships or the vicissitudes of life. But mindless/negative/retrogressive thinking (by humans) can turn it into something else. Similarly, 'nose-cut' indicates hurt ego or pride or affront arising out of perceived slights. ~ And yet, mindless/negative/retrogressive thinking (by humans) can give it a totally different connotation.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">&nbsp;</span></b></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Sri Ram and his siblings were born due to advanced IVF therapy; their deeds benefited society, and so, humans born due to IVF therapy were accepted (while Dvapar rejected genetically engineered and cloned humans). This would have helped childless couples. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Due to the efforts of Sri Ram and his associates, Treta also accepted certain groups of humans (such as the vaan-nar or forest (vaan)-dwelling human (nar) - adivasi or vaan-vasi, as well as the 'tritiya prakriti') as full-fledged humans, with a distinct 'way of life'. ~ Hanuman-ji is depicted with a tail, this is allegorical - perhaps an allusion that prior to Sri Ram<span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">'</span>s efforts to mainstream them, these groups of humans were not considered as full-fledged humans. Maybe, they were considered as sub-humans or part of the animal world. [~ Hanuman-ji, Sugreeva, Angad, Riksharaj Jambavan, Nishadaraj Guhaka or Guha, etc were forest-dwellers. Vaan-nar Sena was an army peopled with forest dwellers.]</span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> 'Lakshman Rekha' is a Tulsidas terminology. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> 'Golden deer' is a reference to destiny (Goddess Sarasvati - Varadey Kaamarupinee [kamadhenu] - the fulfiller of wishes ~ provided one is deserving and makes the required effort). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">['<span style="color: #4c1130;">Maayabanobiharini Harini<span style="color: #351c75;">'</span></span>: </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOYI2x82fB0"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.] <span style="color: #351c75;">~ Mandodari - Ravana's queen - was Sita's mother; both were so alike that even Hanuman-ji was confused. It is unlikely that Ravana attended Sita's Svayamvara. It probably came about courtesy later re-telling, folk theatre, and the like. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ Tulsidas was also instrumental in starting the folk event/folk theatre (village costume drama) known as Ram-lila. </span><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Ravana, an Arya, succumbed to his excessive ego (hubris) and vaulted self-image, besides he was probably misled by his over-achingly ambitious son - Meghnaad. [</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ravana's ten heads alludes to his excessive vanity and exaggerated self-image - his temperament flaws; it also represents ten kingdoms. Despite this, Ravana was not a Cakravartin-raja. ~ Top-heavy - 'too many cooks spoil the broth'.] ~ After the fall of Ravana, and the dismantling of various destructive weaponry (including gigantic humanoid-robots fitted with an assortment of weaponry ['Kumbhakarna'], nuclear weapons - euphemistically referred to as 'Shiva-dhanush' and potent nerve agents) - the sagacious Vibhisana (Ravana's younger brother) was crowned king by Sri Ram. ... And yet, we have been burning Vibhisana's effigy with gusto ~ possibly a legacy of post Gupta era stage-plays and folk theatre. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[~ The Ramayana ('The Exertions of Sri Ram') has over 3,000 re-telling and/or versions, not to mention the numerous poems and colloquial sayings based on it.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->In all likelihood, Hanuman-ji was fair complexioned, the colour of vajra (thunder). Hanu = jaw in Sanskrit, probably indicative of a large jaw. ~ Hanuman-ji could not have set fire to Lanka with his tail - he was not a monkey; he was human. This too (probably) is a result of later dramatics, folk theatre, and the like. Also, indulging in plunder and pillage was most un-Arya-like (ignoble); it is unlikely that Sri Ram, one of the finest of Aryas, ever indulged in such activities. Besides, Vibhishana (an ally of Sri Ram) succeeded Ravana. What would he have governed over then? <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>Maharshi Valmiki and Sri Ram were not contemporaries. Sri Ram had nothing to do with the concept of "race" either. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->As for Lakshman and Urmila: they remained apart for 14 years - owing to Lakshman's dedication and a sense of duty towards bringing about certain positive societal change. ~ Maybe, it was a mutual decision to not involve her; Sita's presence, on the other hand, was required - to fructify the larger goals and objectives. Maybe, Urmila had some other role (pertaining to administrative functions). We don't quite know. ~ However, Lakshman and Urmila remained committed to each other - throughout those 14 long years. It's a personal thing. ~ There have been several great humans who have ventured beyond their personal comforts and happiness... to work for the larger good; the world is a better place due to their efforts and contributions.&nbsp;<span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sri Hanuman probably was a highly skilled pilot, and flew a variety of aircraft (vimana). This (perhaps) has been mistranslated as 'Hanuman-ji carried Ram and Lakshman on his shoulders'. 'Pavan-putra' = Airman. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Also, Sri Ram could look beyond the mundane. And so, when Shabari - a rustic lady, offered him some wild berries - after personally tasting them (to determine their sweetness), he unhesitatingly accepted them. He saw the thought behind the (apparently unsophisticated) gesture; most people would have considered it as an affront. He did not sit on a pedestal either. Therefore, paintings and iconography depicting Sri Hanuman kneeling in front of Sri Ram with folded hands, is a result of post Gupta era art (~ and may have given rise to certain perceptions and cultural schisms). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ BG 9.26: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>patram pushpam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati tad aham bhakty-upahritam asnami prayatatmanah</i></span> || ~ "Whoever offers Me a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water - with love, devotion or a clear/pure consciousness (prayatatmanah), I will accept it." ~ He is essentially saying that he sees, appreciates and values the thought behind the gesture. Not the offering itself. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Sri Ram's actions not only helped create a better/progressive society but also gave him the required gravitas and goodwill... once he ascended the throne; he (probably) deferred the coronation, Kaikeyi and Manthara aided him. ~ His 14-years-long exile was (very likely) a voluntary one; in his absence, (Kaikeyi's son) Bharata - younger to Ram but older than (Sumitra's twins) Lakshman and Shatrughna - was an acceptable alternative. [He may not have acquiesced on his own, though; 'coz even in Ram's absence he chose to sit next to the throne.] ~ Raja Dasarath was suffering from an assortment of old age-related ailments, and was (thus) keen on arranging the coronation. Sri Ram, however, (probably) was keen to defer it, 'coz as Dasarath's heir he wouldn't have had the required gravitas to bring about (i.e. implement) perception and mindset change - leading to sustainable (organic) social reform (~ 'coz no amount of royal decree would have achieved it; mere</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> platitudes and/or text will not change or curb deep-seated retrogressive perceptions, mindset and conditioning; there is no other way to implement measures leading to positive social change - especially if it involves attitudinal change, etc - except through steadfast/dedicated <i>karm-yog</i> - sustained actions); besides, kingly duties, etc would have straitjacketed him.&nbsp; ~ </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.31: || <i>pavanaḥ pavatām asmi rāmaḥ śastra-bhṛtām aham </i>|| <i>~ </i>"I am the wind among the purifiers, and Sri Ram among the warriors" ~ i.e. warrior against moribund aspects, retrogressive mindset, worldview, and the like. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">The person of action (karm yogi) does not withdraw, but cheerfully embraces struggle and toil as the ideal in life. (~ Sri Ram accepted continuous struggle and toil as being intrinsic to bringing about positive societal change; change in firmly held/ingrained mindset, viewpoints, conditioning, perceptions and so on. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">'Coz it <i>also</i> involves course correction, including resetting/redirection of humanity/society's inner compass... and so, </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">cannot be sustained by ephemeral whims of the moment.</span></span> Besides, mere classroom teaching or textbook knowledge does not ensure a progressive outlook). For a nishkam karm yogi, selflessness consists of the renunciation of personal desire (a carefree life, personal glory, praise, accolades, and the like), <i>not</i> of action itself.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The Ramayana War did not happen over riches or territories. The major reasons for the Ramayana War was to destroy/dismantle dangerous weaponry (including nuclear weapons, gigantic humanoid-robots like "Kumbhakarna" and potent nerve agents) + to bring about mindset and attitudinal change (via-a-vis certain groups of humans, like the vaan-nars - forest-dwelling (vaan) human (nar), the "tritiya prakriti" + humans born out of advanced IVF therapy). Sri Ram 'breaking the Shiva-dhanush' = dismantling of the "Shiva-dhanush" or Pinaka - euphemism for the most destructive nuclear weapons - after an all-round agreement/general consensus (though it is unlikely to have happened during Sita's Svayamvara, although Sita-ji too knew how to dismantle the "Shiva-dhanush"). <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Jal-samadhi" could be an allusion to the "Byomkesh" metaphor, since unlike the Krishna-avatar, the Ram-avatar is depicted with a <i>jata</i>. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Byomkesh i<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">s derived from <i>byom/vyom</i>(sky or air) and <i>kesh</i> (hair). ~ </span>Lord Shiva received into his dredlocks (jata) the Ganga - to minimize the immense impact (devastation) of her fall. It is a reference to the metaphoric or allegoric tide/torrent of the Ganga that Lord Shiva is supposed to have held in his <i>jata</i> (dredlocks) and (thus) become Byomkesh. (This Ganga is a metaphor; it is not a reference to any river per se.) ~ Perhaps it is an allegory to indicate that his actions saved/protected humanity/society from great misery and/or mitigated (in force or intensity) the long-term damage. Maybe, it brought about a turnaround - a positive change of course, and helped lay the foundation for a new and better society to emerge.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Jatayu (and his brother Sampati) were not birds but humans belonging to the Shakuna clan (~ an ancient group or clan that displayed a vulture-totem or insignia). Therefore, Raavan could not have slashed Jatayu's wings. Also, Sita could not have lamented, cried and shouted for help theatrically, then thrown down her jewelry from an aircraft (vimana); none can open windows of a vimana up in the sky. ~ These are probably later additions (very likely post Gupta era) - courtesy folk theatre, re-telling, village/stage plays, etc. Raavan also especially deputed Vibhishana's wife, Sarama, to look after Sita during the latter's period of "captivity" at Ashoka-Vatika. However, even after his vanity had got the better of him, and despite all that Meghnaad was up to, it was none other than Vibhishana who assured Ram... that Ravana will never let any harm come to Sita. (Vibhisana had by then come over to Ram's side. ~ But even then, i.e. even after Vibhishana joining forces with Ram, his wife, Sarama, continued to stay in Lanka, and continued to look after Sita; Ravana never harassed her). ~ And, <i>this</i> is not surprising. It was a different era, when Arya Dharma was prevalent, hence Treta is regarded as the "Silver Age". The Aryas followed certain ethics even when they fought wars. ~ They did not indulge in pillage; they did not harm the trees or livestock, nor pollute the water-bodies. They also did not cause any harm to the elderly, children and the womenfolk, rather it would have been unthinkable for an Arya man to take revenge on even his staunchest rival... via the latter's womenfolk. It would not only have been most un-Arya-like (ignoble), but also considered as the height of cowardice. (~ Such behaviour was befitting of Yavanas and Mlechchas). ... Misbehaviour with or abuse of women was considered as the lowest of the lowest of 'paap' (sin) that anyone could ever commit; such actions were believed to condemn the perpetrator eternally to the lowest of the Hellish Planets. [~ A shocked Hanuman-ji said as much to Meghnaad... when the latter beat and beheaded a humanoid of Sita on the battlefield... in a bid to break the morale of the Vaan-nar Sena.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Meghnaad resorting to 'illusion' indicates the usage of various technologies, which the later translators were unable to comprehend. Besides, Meghnaad may have been a name that Ravan's son (eventually) came to be identified with. [Megh = cloud; Naad = sound, roar.] It could be that his vimana/aircraft broke the sound barrier (thus, Meghnaad). As for Meghnaad 'disappearing behind a cloud' - perhaps, his vimana left a trail of smoke. ~ Kumbhakarna was not Raavan's younger "brother", but a gigantic humanoid-robot equipped with a variety of weaponry; it was probably capable of inflicting enormous damage in the battlefield. ~ Maybe our ancients called such a humanoid-robot (Yantra), 'brhma-daitya'. Brhma comes from 'Brh', which means: to grow or to expand. Daitya = in this case: gigantic-sized. ... And <i>this</i> (probably) got mistranslated to 'a brāhmaṇa ghost' or 'the ghosts of brahmans, living in the fig trees, the pipal (ficus religiosa), or the banyan (ficus indica), awaiting liberation (mukti or salvation) or reincarnation (rebirth ~ i.e. continuation in the cycle of <i>samsara</i>)'. [~ Ghatotkacha was a 'Kumbhakarna'-equivalent in Dvapar. <i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </i>Ghatam indicates: laboratory. Utkoch or utkaca = reward, product, outcome, gift<b>, </b>present.] He was a highly advanced humanoid robot, very human-like in appearance (android - male), but with robot or machine-like strength, flexibility and assorted abilities. And so, he could increase in size and turn himself into a gigantic figure.]</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Bheeshma, Dronacharya, Dhritarashtra, Pandu, Vidur, Karna, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Draupadi and her brother, Drishtadumna, Ghatotkach, etc - were all 'born' or begotten through various medical and scientific procedures (including advanced genetic engineering and cloning technology). They were unnatural humans (human-like humanoids and/or humanoid-robots); they could not procreate naturally. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Bheeshma refused to get himself cloned. ~ He was the outcome of genetic material taken from multiple sources - 'born' after seven unsuccessful attempts. The metaphor of 'shara-sajya' or 'bed of arrows' has been used to indicate his humanoid-ness. Besides, it is also indicative of karma catching up with him (the Krishn-avatar is Rudra-Siva and is associated with arrows. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Rudra is called "the archer" (Sanskrit: <span class="unicode">Śarva</span>) and the arrow is an essential attribute of Rudra. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The names <span class="unicode">Dhanvin</span> ("bowman") and <span class="unicode">Bāṇahasta</span>(baanahasta = "archer", literally: "Armed with arrows in hands"/ <span class="unicode">Bāṇa = arrow, hasta = hand</span>) also refer to archery - the archer. Rudra is described as armed with a bow and fast-flying arrows (baan/b<span class="unicode">āṇa</span>).] ~ Bheeshma chose silence, and preferred to remain a mere spectator - over doing his duty as an influential elder - when Duryodhan and Dushyasana were attempting to fructify certain negative actions. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Draupadi's five sons (one by each of the Pandavas): Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Srutakirti, Satanika and Srutakarma are said to have been spitting images of their respective fathers - the 5 Pandavas. This again points towards cloning. ~ Therefore, 'the Pandavas announcing to Kunti their arrival with excellent "alms", and a supposedly busy Kunti replying without turning to look at Draupadi (the supposed "alms") and advising/ordering the brothers to share the "alms" equally amongst the five of them' ~ is a later-day re-telling, courtesy translators - who, unable to understand technology, etc incorporated their own thinking. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> There was no renunciation or sacrifice from Bheeshma (Devavrat)... to pave the way for Santanu-Satyavati's progeny to ascend the throne. Maharaj Shantanu never had a consort/queen by the name "Ganga"; here Ganga = a laboratory. ['Ganga-putra' = laboratory-born, or of 'virgin-birth'. ~ It is an euphemism for humans 'born' out of a laboratory process via highly advanced medical technology... where even the gestation happened outside the human body in pitcher-shaped incubators that acted as the surrogate womb.] ~ Maharaj Shantanu probably fully understood the consequences of unnatural humans (human-like humanoids) populating the earth, and hence was keen to have human progeny. Once he found Satyavati, she became the queen of Hastinapura. ~ It is possible that Devavrat too understood the outcome of unnatural humans roaming the earth and its effect on civilization, and so, took a firm decision (euphemistically mentioned as: undertook an unwavering vow or <i>kathor vrat</i>) - to not clone or replicate himself - ever. ... This probably is the reason behind his other more famous name (sobriquet): Bheeshm or Bhishma (meaning, unwavering - a reference to his unwavering decision). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> As for Dronacharya: Droṇa implies that he too was gestated in a droṇa (vessel) - an incubator (drona) that acted as the surrogate womb. Jarasandha (literally meaning "joined by Jara") too was a product of stem cell technology (gone wrong). Alternatively: he may have been a conjoined baby. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Jara (or Barmata - an adivasi vyadh/doctor) either: #1. separated the underdeveloped-stillborn twin (via a surgical procedure) or #2. stitched up gaping wounds, perhaps even gangrene, or maybe 'completed' an 'incomplete' or ill-developed/underdeveloped human body - with the help of material taken from other sources (including the stillborn twin). Thus Jarasandha lived. ~ However, Krishn's choice of the mighty Bheem to grapple (wrestle) with Jarasandha is allegorical; Krishna's gesture of breaking a twig and throwing both the parts in opposite direction has been mistranslated as instructing Bheem to tear up Jarasandha's body. <b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;"> </span><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b><span class="usercontent">Balaram, was transferred from Devaki's womb to Rohini's womb (via embryo transfer). Here 'Rohini' is a reference to an incubator - that acted as a surrogate womb, just like 'Ganga' is a reference/metaphor for a lab. Vasuki was the king/chieftain of the Nag clan - that displayed a serpent totem or insignia. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span class="usercontent">As for Krishna's sister Subhadra, she too was born of 'Rohini' - <span class="usercontent">an incubator - that acted as a surrogate womb. </span></span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidur were 'born' due to advanced medical technology... courtesy Maharshi Vedavyas (original name: Krishna Dwaipayana ~ he was conceived in a secluded place when visibility was low due to the presence of heavy mist or thick fog - localized fog. ~ Veda Vyas growing up instantly after birth = he was an exceptionally prodigious child). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">~ Perhaps the technique was yet to be perfected; and so, none of them were 'born' completely healthy. E.g., Dhritarashtra was visually challenged, while Pandu was anemic (pandu = pale) and probably had other ailments too. Neither could procreate naturally. Hence Gandhari, Kunti and Madri had to take the help of advanced medical technology - in order to beget progeny.</span>&nbsp;<span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">The Kauravas were born as a result of a 'test-tube' process, wherein even their gestation happened in pitcher-shaped incubators, outside their mother's womb. ... And given that Gandhari "gave birth to a hard piece of lifeless flesh" after "two years" of remaining "pregnant", one cannot rule out the involvement of stem cells<b> </b>and cloning technology either. Advanced 'Parthenogenesis' is a possibility as well.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Draupadi (original name: Krishna) was 'fire-born', meaning: she was of 'virgin-birth' - 'born' out of a laboratory process... with no human involvement whatsoever; hence her gestation too happened in incubators, which acted as the surrogate womb. The same is applicable for Dhristadyumna. </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">'Homa' = a technological procedure. 'Brahma' = a reference to whoever possesses the know-how or is the chief scientist. 'Brahma's boon' = a reference to knowledge transfer and/or a successful experiment/process/procedure. 'Yagna' = a metaphor used to indicate a laboratory and/or a technological process per se. 'Yagya-gaar' = the laboratory or place where the research or process/procedure is being conducted. (Gaar = room, here it is indicative of a laboratory where a technological process is underway.) 'Yagnakunda' = a metaphor to indicate the 'specifics' of any laboratory or technological process. In other words: the 'instruments' or the 'method' used in any laboratory or technological process. 'Agni' = a metaphor to indicate the 'outcome' of a laboratory/scientific/technological or medical process.]</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">Therefore, we can only wonder as to how different this planet has been and how different the humans had been.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">The Krishna-avatar put a halt to<b> </b>all experiments directed at creating unnatural humans (human-like humanoids) ~ thereby helping the human species and civilization on earth to progress naturally and peacefully; he also helped restore the gender balance. </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Even the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas' <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Bharatas refers to the Puruvansh or clan/lineage - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></span></span></a></b></i></span></span>) is a completely different story. ~ Its scale, sweep and grandeur are immensely fascinating. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The people of ancient civilizations not only possessed the most vaulting imaginations but also extremely advanced technology - that the modern world is as yet unaware of. ~ They had much more knowledge and sophisticated technology at their disposal than most of us moderns (given our linear view of history) - are willing to give them credit for. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Dvapar saw highly advanced technology (including advanced genetic engineering and cloning technology) - and yet, none of the versions of the 'Mahabharata' (the outcome of numerous retelling) refer to the scientific and/or technological aspects. ~ This great history has instead been reduced to a family feud ~ possibly, an indicator of the post Gupta era flounder - i.e. decline in civilizational values + intellectual decline... when the cradle of knowledge (science included) was forced into a quagmire - courtesy extreme myopia, selfish and unifocal world-view, cynicism and so on (~ the proverbial "dreary desert sand of dead habit"). ~ It proved to be detrimental, counterproductive and self-defeating.&nbsp;<b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> In fact, it wasn't quite a nation either, but numerous squabbling principalities, satrapies, and the like. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> An objective assessment (however) indicates that colonization, despite its excesses, was part of the solution.&nbsp;... After all, the colonizers did leave us with various scientific innovations and a ready infrastructure, a link language, an education system, an electoral system, other institutions and frameworks, and so on. ~ All of which was indeed crucial in equipping us to connect + interact + integrate with the rest of the world. We were reasonably prepared for the new world system that emerged. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Colonization also helped stem the internal stagnation and decay.</span></span></span>] Besides, s</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">everal of our popular sporting events are courtesy colonial rule... and subsequent engagement with the wider world.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>Even Tagore, though critical of the excesses and exploitation of colonial rule, did not reject western civilization per se. "... I am not for thrusting off Western civilization and becoming segregated in our independence." ~ He advised intellectual rigueur and intellectual engagement, instead of national selfishness ("narrow domestic walls") and cynical/specious arguments (~ "where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit" ~ is indicative of a civilization and/or civilizational values and ideals in decline. Stream = the River SarasvatI). ~ He recognized the importance of what India could learn - from other nations/cultures/peoples - to/for her own benefit and progress. ~ "If Providence wants England to be the channel of that communication, of that deeper association, I am willing to accept it with all humility. I have great faith in human nature, and I think the West will find its true mission." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> He also believed that </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">the responsibility of a great future must be "untrammelled by the grasping miserliness of a past." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore's vision was to take on a more holistic attitude towards understanding the dynamic spirit of his time (and beyond). ~ He also felt that the West should be capable of "imparting to the East what is best in herself, and of accepting in a right spirit the wisdom that the East has stored for centuries." ~ <i>This is synergy creation at its best</i>. ~ It is (after all) western innovation and technology that has helped build India's economic infrastructure. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Otherwise, the ritual-heavy straitjacket known as "Brahminical faith" (which gradually came about after the decline of the Gupta era) ~ would have ensured a perpetual "age of retrogressiveness, stagnation and decay" for this once-glorious nation. ~ Its legacy - a complete antithesis of the enlightened way of life (Sanaatan Dharma) - is an abiding embarrassment, as well as a cautionary note. [Brahmana is not to be misconstrued for "Brahminical Faith". Brahmana implies erudition; one who treads the path of knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment (the wisdom of knowledge). E.g. Chanakya was a Brahmana. He may very well have been a Vrishni.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 9.8: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>prakṛtiḿ svām avaṣṭabhya visṛjāmi punaḥ punaḥ bhūta-grāmam imaḿ kṛtsnamavaśaḿ prakṛter vaśāt</i></span> || ~ "The whole cosmic order is under Me. Under My will it is automatically manifested again and again, and under My will it is dissolved at the end."</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 9.10: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram hetunānena kaunteya jagad viparivartate</i> </span>|| ~ "This material nature (Manifested Cosmos), which is one of My energies (a reference to the Absolute OM/Brahmn - <i>Primal Creative Energy </i>or<i> Purusha</i>), is working under My direction, O son of Kuntī, producing all moving and non-moving beings. Under its rule this manifestation is created and dissolved again and again." ~ The Almighty (<i>saguna, saakar</i> OM - 'Brahm-putri') is the Absolute/Eternal Truth (Sat/Satya) - <i>the Eternal divine person/entity ~</i> <i>P<span class="text">uruṣa-uttama</span></i><span class="text">: greatest of all beings</span><span class="text">.</span> ... While, the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), <i>unmanifested</i> (avyaktah, niraakar - without form) Absolute OM/Brahmn is Comic Light, Light Divine or Divine Effulgence (~ impersonal 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti').</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 9.17: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>pitāham asya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ vedyaḿ pavitram oḿkāra</i></span>|| ~ "I am the father (pitā)<i> </i>of this universe (jagato), the mother (mātā), the support (dhātā) and the grandsire (pitāmahaḥ). I am the bestower of non-transient knowledge - the wisdom of knowledge (<i>para vidya</i>), the purifier (dispeller of unwanted aspects) and the syllable oḿ." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Omkara = the praṇava or <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>. The Almighty is saguna, manifested OM - Brahm-putri or Omswaroop.</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 4.5: śrī-bhagavān uvāca (Sri Bhagavan said): || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>bahūni me vyatītāni janmāni tava cārjuna tāny ahaḿ veda sarvāṇi na tvaḿ vettha parantapa</i></span> || ~ "O Arjun, many are the births I have passed through and thou too. But I know them all, whilst thou knowest not (i.e. </span>I can remember all of them, but you cannot)<span style="color: #351c75;">." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Parantapa = one who concentrates the most.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 7.26: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>vedaham samatitanivartamanani carjunabhavisyani ca bhutani mam tu veda na kascana</i></span> || ~ "O Arjun, as the Supreme Godhead (the Almighty) I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. I also know all living entities; but Me no one knows."</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On (the cosmic phenomenon of) Creation: "</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->None knoweth whence creation has arisen; And whether he has or has not produced it; He who surveys it in the highest heaven, He only knows, or haply he may know not." ~ the Rig Veda. [<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>Note</u>:</b></span> Our ancient texts don't quite refer to the Absolute OM and/or the Almighty by gender (~ the Almighty exercises guardianship, care and governance over the universe at large). ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">"Purusha" does not mean male. Purusha = Cosmic Energy or Primal Creative Energy - the impersonal 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti'</span>. There are two aspects to Brahmn - impersonal<i>, unmanifested</i> Absolute OM and the <i>saguna</i>, manifested Almighty - the Absolute Truth (Sat/Satya) and the eternal divine person/entity. ~ The Manifested Cosmos as well as the Manifested Nature is "Prakriti". | </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Primal Creative Energy ('Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti') does not mean feminine energy. <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Energy has no form or gender</i>. ~ Primal Cosmic Energy is <i>Purusha</i> - Cosmic Energy or Supreme Cosmic Spirit.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Cosmic Entity or Primal Being is <i>Purushottama</i> (Supreme Being) or Purushottama Satya - Supreme Godhead.</span></span></span>]</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.22<b><i> </i></b><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">vāsānsi jīrNāni yathā vihāya navāni grihNāti naro.aparāNi tathā śarīrāNi vihāya jīrNānyanyāni sanyāti navāni dehī</span> || </i>~<b> </b>"Just as a human being puts on new garments, casting off old and worn-out ones, the (human) soul (Jiva-atma or mere Self) similarly takes up residence within new material bodies, giving up the old and infirm ones."<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Thus, no two people are alike. Even identical twins are not alike in character traits, etc. 'Coz their souls (jiva-atma or mere Self) are different ~ even though they may be spitting images of each other, physically.</span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The soul (<i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self) is part of the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities) and unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form) Brahmn ~ the Absolute OM - 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy - Divine Effulgence or Cosmic Light. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal Absolute OM/Brahmn is<i> </i>defined as<i> <span style="color: #4c1130;">the one self-existent impersonal spirit (energy) - the Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return</span></i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Primal Cosmic Energy is <i>Purusha</i>- Supreme Cosmic Spirit. ~ Spirit is energy. It has no form or gender. ~ Thus, the soul (<i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self) too is energy; it has no form or gender; only the outer shell (material body) differs.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">And so, a 'female soul' cannot be contained within a male material body, nor a 'male soul' be contained within a female material body. ~ Our ancients were clear about three kinds of humans. The third type was known as 'tritiya prakriti'.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.17:<i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;">avinasi tu tad viddhi yena sarvam idam tatam vinasam avyayasyasya na kascit kartum arhati </span>|| ~ </i>"But know that which pervades the entire body is indestructible. No one is able to destroy the imperishable soul (jiva-atma) - individual soul or mere Self."<i><i>&nbsp;</i></i></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.18:<i><i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;">antavanta ime deha nityasyoktah saririnah</span> || ~ </i></i>"Only the material body (outer shell) of the indestructible, immeasurable and eternal living entity (jiva-atma) is subject to destruction." | ... While the jiva-atma only transmigrates from one body to another body:</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.20: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Na jãyate mriyate vã kadãchinnãyam bhootvã bhavitã vã na bhooyaha ajo nityaha shãshvato'yam purãno na hanyate hanyamãne shareere</i></span>|| ~ "The individual soul (jiva-atma) never takes birth and never perishes at any time nor does it come into being again when the body is created. The individual soul (jiva-atma) is birthless, eternal, imperishable and timeless and is never destroyed even when the material body (outer shell) is destroyed (perishes)."</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></i></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.23:<i><i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;">nainaṃ chindanti śastrāṇi nainaṃ dahati pāvakaḥ na cainaṃ kledayantyāpo na śoṣayati mārutaḥ</span> ||</i> </i>"Weapons cleave It not, fire burns It not, water wets It not, wind dries It not. This self (jiva-atma or mere Self) cannot be cut, not burnt, nor get wet, nor dried up. It is eternal, all pervading, stable, immovable and ancient. This [self] is said to be un-manifested, unfathomable and unchangeable." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn describes (to Arjun) the human soul (the individual soul or jiva-atma) as something that cannot be cut by weapons, cannot be burnt by fire, cannot be drowned in water, cannot be blown/dried by the wind.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The soul (<i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self) is part of the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities) and unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form) Brahmn ~ the Absolute OM - 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy - Divine Effulgence or Cosmic Light. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal Absolute OM/Brahmn is<i> </i>defined as<i> <span style="color: #4c1130;">the one self-existent impersonal spirit (energy) - the Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return</span></i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Primal Cosmic Energy is <i>Purusha</i>- Supreme Cosmic Spirit. ~ Spirit is energy. It has no form or gender. ~ Thus, the soul (<i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self) too is energy; it has no form or gender; only the outer shell (material body) differs.</span></span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The "First Law of Thermodynamics" (Conservation) states that energy is always conserved; it cannot be created or destroyed. In essence, energy can be converted from one form into another. ~ '<i>Energy can be changed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed. The total amount of energy and matter in the Universe remains constant, merely changing from one form to another</i>.' <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Soul (jiva-atma or mere Self) is energy; it has no form or gender; only the outer shell (material body) differs. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> For humans, there is no guarantee that the soul (jiva-atma or mere Self) won't transmigrate as (e.g.) an animal, bird, and so on.&nbsp;It all depends on one's karma.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>jiva-atma</i></span> (individual consciousness) or mere Self = part and parcel of (i.e. created out of) the impersonal, unmanifested Absolute OM/Brahmn ~ Cosmic Light, Light Divine, Divine Effulgence - <i>Primal Creative Energy</i>.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The <i>Atman</i> or Param-atma/Para Brahmn (universal consciousness - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">universal mind or universal intelligence</span>) = Cosmic Entity. </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Atman</i></span> - Supersoul (Param-atma) or Higher Self or Higher Mind (Manas) - is indicative of the Cosmic Entity. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The mere Self or <i>jiva-atma</i> can unite, commune or confluence with the Higher Self or Param-atma (Atman) ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>only</i></span> when the <span style="color: #4c1130;">latent spiritual energy</span> lying dormant at the base of the spine - <span style="color: #4c1130;">kundalini energy</span> - has been fully 'awakened'.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> Kundalini is not associated with rote-learning or classroom teaching. [</span><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aaloker Ei Jharna Dharaaye Dhuiye Dao</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOP1-hV9VhM"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><b>link</b></i></span></a></span>.]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The <i>jiva-atma</i> - lower mind (manas) or mere Self = individual consciousness. The <i>Atman</i> - higher mind (manas) or Higher Self = Universal Consciousness.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Sat-Cit-Ananda:</span> for purposes of comprehension and clarity: the function of the mind and the heart are completely different. None can think with their heart. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>That is a colloquial phrase taken literally</i></span>.<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Cit</span> </i>is <i>not</i> a reference to the heart. <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Cit</i></span> is a reference to the mere Self (individual consciousness - sentience). While, <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat</i></span>is a reference to the Higher Self or Universal Consciousness (Param-atma or Supersoul). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>confluence</i></span> of the <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Cit</span> </i>(mere Self or individual consciousness) with the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat</i></span> (Higher Self or universal consciousness) is brought about by the complete 'awakening' of the latent spiritual energy lying dormant at the base of the spine - the <span style="color: #4c1130;">kundalini energy</span>.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 9.4: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>mayā tatam idaḿ sarvaḿ jagad avyakta-mūrtinā mat-sthāni sarva-bhūtāni na cāhaḿ teṣv avasthitaḥ</i></span> || ~ "By Me, in My unmanifested form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings are in Me, but I am not in them." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> 'All things are in Me' (<i>mat-sthāni sarva-bhūtāni</i>)<i> </i>= a reference to the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn - <i>the one self-existent impersonal spirit (energy) - the Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return</i>. ~ The human soul (<i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self) too is part of the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities) and unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form) Brahmn ~ the Absolute OM - 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti' - <i>Primal Creative Energy</i> ~ Divine Effulgence or Cosmic Light. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> 'But I am not in them' (<i>na cāhaḿ teṣv avasthitaḥ</i>) is a reference to the Higher Self or Supersoul (Atman) or Universal Consciousness (Param-atma). ~ Only through 'Self-realization' can the mere Self (individual consciousness) connect with the Higher Self (Universal Consciousness).&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The wonder and poetry of the hymns of the Rig Veda are unlike any commandments or cut-and-dried narratives; instead, they are a fascinating poetic testament of a people's collective reaction to the wonder and awe of existence. A people of vigorous and childlike imagination (but deepened and widened by the calm of meditation/introspection) awakened at the very dawn of civilization to a sense of the inexhaustible mystery that is implicit in Life. Theirs was a simple 'way of life' that held all forms of life sacred, attributed divinity to every element and force of Nature ~ but it was a cohesive and joyous one, in which there was trust in god, in which the sense of mystery only gave enchantment to life, without weighing it down with the myriad bafflement of a rigorous faith and mechanical ritualism. It was an unburdened 'way of life' that celebrated diversity - of the objective universe. Keener spiritual longing shifts the emphasis from the wonder of the outside universe to the significance of the self within - to explore the infinite depths of the Soul (<i>atman</i> or Higher Self) in which the central principle of creation is reflected. ~ The early authors were childlike in their reaction, less brooding, and (hence) fascinated by what they beheld (~ perhaps they also sought to understand it through their own hopes and day-to-day lives). But as when children grow they gather an increasing awareness of their selves, the later authors sought more and more a centre of reference in their own consciousness, a subjective counterpart to the objective majesty that had so long held them enthralled in awe, an answer in their own being to the cosmic mysteries of the visible or manifest universe.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe: only the Almighty (Mahat or Ishvari, Para Brahmn or 'Brahma-putri') is familiar with the cosmic architecture - about the three cosmic phenomenon of 'Creation-Maintenance-Dissolution' (~ the three <i>aspects</i> of the impersonal <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn <i>as</i> the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Cosmic Trimurti - 'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva'). ~ And so, the Almighty (Mahat or Ishvari, Para Brahmn or 'Brahma-putri') <i>as</i> the saguna, <i>manifested</i> Trimurti - 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' is <i>also</i> aware of the growth and evolution of the manifest cosmos, and so on.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->&nbsp;</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ If we can understand this, we will <i>also</i> comprehend: what the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Narayana</span>' is all about, and what the <i>saguna</i>, manifested '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Narayani</span>' indicates. ... And then, we can <i>also</i> gain clarity about which of them is indicated in the 'Dasavatara' - the ten principal manifestations - to maintain and stabilize the universe + to protect and preserve humanity from negativism (~ be they entities or be they negativism or ignorance of the mind) - yuge-yuge, yug/era after yug/era - whenever and wherever the latter becomes a bane ~ as per the promised: <i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham</span> </i>- BG IV-7<i> ||</i> ~ </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Whenever and wherever there is an alarming decline or discrepancy in <i>dharmic</i>principles (for the greater good, and/or for humanity/society/civilization to flourish - progress and prosper); or when such an alarming decline is perceived or becomes a bane; O Bharata (addressing Arjun, <i>who belonged to the Puru-vansh or Bharat-vansh</i> lineage/clan </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">- <i>for Bharatas</i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i> refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a></b></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>), only then, I, manifest Myself. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The purpose is to preserve and protect ~ to provide guidance + to renew/rekindle/re-energize/revive/regenerate/reinvigorate/revitalize/rejuvenate - <i>dharmic</i> principles (positive and tangible action - steadfast karm yog - individually and collectively - for the larger good) ~ for the collective benefit of mankind/humanity ~ to help create and sustain a progressive, prosperous, inclusive and vibrant society/civilization ('<i>dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge</i>'). </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>Karma is not comeuppance or retribution, but an opportunity for redemption. ~ </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Krishn indicates that as the Supreme Judge he delivers his judgment on prarabdha karma (negative karma) - maybe during his presence amongst humans - and/or provides an opportunity for redemption.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The two Indus "Yogi Seals" depict a deity with three faces, seated in yogic position on a throne, wearing bangles on both arms and an elaborate headdress (made of bullhorns). Various Indus glyphs appear on either side of the headdress. The glyphs show a fish (<i>matsya</i> - the first avatar/manifestation) and "V" shaped alphabets. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The three faces = indicative of the concept of the <i>saguna</i>, manifested Trimurti - 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' - also known as: Mahat, Ishvari or Brahm-putri + the patron figure or deity of the ancient Rig Vedic people and of the Indus-SarasvatI Civilization (also known as "Aryavarsha" - abode or land inhabited by the Arya people. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Arya = noble or noble-natured, it is a reference to a people and a culture/civilization; a people who followed a pattern of life based on noble values and ideals. It was not a homogeneous or monolithic culture, though... and yet, there were commonalities in the 'way of life'. Varsha = continent, in Sanskrit. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Dharma (<i>here it means: justice</i>) is generally symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull, vrishabha. ~ Thus, the Almighty is also known as Vrishaakritih (embodiment or personification of Dharma) or Vrishaparvaa and Dharmadhyaksha - Lord of Dharma (Supreme Judge). ~ And so, the illustrious God of gods is called Vṛṣabha (the Great Bull). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The 'thousand-horned great bull with a hundred heads' does not refer to any creature. It is a metaphor or imagery for Supreme Judge (Dharmadhyaksha). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>One of the Indus "Yogi Seals" has a branch with three prongs or peepal leaves emerging from the center and adorning the horned headdress. ~ BG 10.26: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ</i></span> ||<b> ~ </b>"among trees, I am the peepal." (ashvattha) <span class="text">- fig tree (it can mean: banyan tree as well as the Peepal/aśvatthaḥ - the Bodhi Tree or Transpersonal World Tree, or maybe both). ~ The <span style="color: #4c1130;">Parijaat</span> tree (Kalpataru or Kalpavrisha - wish-bearing tree) is very likely the peepal. It is associated with heaven (svargaloka); parts of the ancient Himalayan kingdom too can be associated with svarga on earth. ... </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Alternatively, <i>Parijaat</i> could be a reference to the <i>Magnolia champaca </i>(Michelia Champaca, also known as "golden champaca" or "red champaca"), commonly called yellow jade orchid tree, a large evergreen tree best known for its fragrant yellow or white (various shades of peach-cream) flowers. Golden Champa or Yellow Champak - a beautiful, delightfully scented cream-yellow flower. ~ The species epithet, <i>champaca</i>, comes from the Sanskrit word <span title="International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration"><span class="unicode"><i>campaka</i></span>. (</span>The genus <i>Michelia</i> is very closely related to subgenus <i>Yulania</i>of genus <i>Magnolia</i>.)<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> The other alternative for Parijaat is Shiuli (<i>Nyctanthes arbor-tristis</i>) - not to be confused for Juthika (<i>Jasminum auriculatum/molle</i>). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ In the Rig Vedic times, the SarasvatI was a mighty river flowing from the mountains to the sea (giribhyah asamudrat). ~ The abundance and tremendous force of its water had an enchanting impact on the minds of the poets who repeatedly described it as: 'abounding in waters' - <i>maho-arnah</i>;<i> </i>'flowing rapidly'<i> - pra-sasre</i>;<i> </i>'moving faultlessly'<i> - akuvari</i>;<i> </i>'possessing unlimited strength'<i> - yasyah amah ananto</i>;<i> </i>'roaring'<i> - charati roruvat</i>,<i> </i>and<i> </i>'fierce'<i> - ghora. </i>~ Thus, the realistic picture in the Rig Veda is that of a mighty and highly glorified river named SarasvatI descending from the Himalayas.<i> ... </i>The river disappeared at a place called Vinasana (literally 'disappearance'), though many believe it still flows below the ground.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Here is Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ogo Nadi Apon Bege</span>': <span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEmjzBMBR-k"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>. ~ '<i>Ogo Nadi apon bege pagal paraa (</i><span class="textexposedshow">'flowing rapidly'<i> - pra-sasre; </i>'moving faultlessly'<i> - akuvari)</i></span><i> path-e path-e bahir hoye apon haara</i>...' (<i>Refer the relevant passages</i> on "Sada-Shiva" and "Bhola Nath".) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span class="textexposedshow">~ </span><span class="style2">Goddess Sarasvati is said to have invented Sanskrit, known as the mother of all languages, of scriptures and scholarship.</span><span class="textexposedshow">The Goddess is also revered as the mother of the Vedas and as the mother of the Indian Civilization, i.e. the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization or "</span><span class="textexposedshow">Aryavarsha" (~ abode of the <i>Arya</i> people; land of the noble ones; Arya = noble, noble-natured or people who followed a pattern of life based on noble values and ideals. Varsha = continent, in Sanskrit). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Goddess Sarasvati is also the eternal divine person/entity (Absolute or Eternal Truth - Sat/Satya). She is <i>Purusha-uttama</i> - the greatest of all beings - the Almighty (Brahm-putri, Para Brahmn, Mahat or Ishvari). She is Sanaatan Purusha - the eternal divine person/entity. ... Sanaatan Dharma (the eternal [sanaatan] path or 'way of life' [dharma] emanates from Her. Arya Dharma and Sanaatan Dharma are non-different. <b>|</b> </span>'Taba Charana Nimney': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO1QVhcyv2w"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>(~ '<i>Arja garima keerti-kahini mugdho jagatey bohiya, hanshichhe dib balika, kanthhe bijoy malika</i>...') <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Arja = Arya. Garima = grace, dignity. Keerti-kahini = great, glorious and inspirational deeds. Dib = divya, divine).<b> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>Goddess SarasvatI is 'Destiny' and 'Providence' Herself. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->[And so, destiny and Providence are non-different.] ~ Providence: The care, guardianship, and guidance exercised by the Almighty; divine direction. Providence is God's fore-knowledge, beneficent care, and governance over the universe at large and human affairs in particular. The word derives from the Latin<i> providentia,</i> 'foresight'.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.35: <span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham</span> </i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="text"><i>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</i></span></span></i></span></span> </i></span><span class="text"><i>|| </i>~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am spring." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span><i> </i></span>Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or *<i>lunar mansion</i> - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known as <i>Kaalpurush</i>, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient; kaal or kaalah = time, in Sanskrit). The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation as Mriga/Mṛga (The Deer). ~ The term Mṛgaśira is a composite of two Sanskrit words, <i>mṛga</i>meaning animal (can also mean: deer - symbolizing destiny) and <i>śira</i> meaning head or precisely, the top of the head. [~ The Indus 'Yogi Seal' popularly known as the 'Pasupati Seal' probably has something to do with this.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The crescent moon affixed to the <i>jata</i> (dredlocks) of Rudra-Siva probably represents *lunar mansion. Thus Rudra-Siva is also known as ChandrachuR or Sasidhar/Shashidhar. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The <i>jata</i> (dredlocks) represent the Sivaliks - part of the Himalayan ranges and/or the ancient Himalayan kingdom. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">T</span></span>he gushing Ganga emerges from these mountains through the snout known as Gomukh. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i></span> || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [Here, Jahnavi or Ganga could be a reference to ancient India.] </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The tiger-skin represents Rudra-Siva's valiant nature</span></span>.</span></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The smurf-blue colour - <i>refer </i>'<i>Meghavarnam</i>'. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Our national anthem is 'The Morning Song of India' ~ <span class="kword">an ode to that <i>Bhagya Vidhata </i>[ed. Lord of Destiny] - who (in Tagore's own words) "</span></span><span class="kword"><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved</span><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">" [Here are the complete five stanzas: <b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OANYQQmtRXU"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></span></b>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Goddess Sarasvati is <i>Savitri</i> - the goddess of dawn. <i>Refer the passages on the Gayatri Mantra</i>. <span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Thus, retrogressive idioms and proverbs involving Sati (feminine of Sat/Satya - the Erernal Truth) and Savitri (the goddess of dawn) is the outcome of the post Gupta era drift and flounder.] </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">"Aryavarsha" or the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization (Sabhyata) is the only Arya Civilization (~ although some extinct civilizations too may have followed the Arya 'way of life'). All other civilizations, including the celebrated Greek civilization, are either Yavana or Mlechha. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "</span></b>Yavana" indicates a people who are reasonably cultured, knowledgeable, great builders and architects, and yet... indulge in un-Arya (ignoble) behaviour like slave-taking, buying and selling of humans in markets, plunder and pillage, misbehaviour with women, and so on. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Mlechcha," on the other hand, implies uncivilized or savage. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The ancient civilizations were understood as Arya, Mlechcha and Yavana. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Alexander was a Yavana.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">The </span>SarasvatI is (also) called "she with seven sisters" (saptasvasā) - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Uccaiḥśravā or Uchchaihshravas</span>. ~ T<span class="bodyarl">he 'Sapta Sindhu' ("seven rivers" - </span>Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ; "Sindhu" means <i>river</i>, <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">) - refers to the rivers SuturI (Sutlej), VipASa (Beas), </span><span class="unicode">AsiknI </span><span class="bodyarl">(Chenab), ParuSNI (Ravi), VitastA (Jhelum), Sindhu (Indus) and</span>probably KubhA. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Hindu" is simply a variation of "Sindhu" (River Indus) - courtesy the ancient Persians. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sapta-Sindhu (Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ) became Hapta-Handu (Persian) - finally culminating in the word "Hindu". ~ The Avesta-speakers referred to Sapta Sindhavaḥ <i>as</i> Hapta-HAndu. ~ In Old Persian, the 'S' for Sindhu/Sindhavaḥ (River Indus) becomes 'H' (due to a lack of phonetics). Thus, Sapta Sindhu or Sapta Sindhavaḥ becomes Hapta Handu... which in turn gave way to the word "Hindu". ~ And so, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Hindu" is not the name of any "religion" or even a set of religious beliefs whatsoever... it was simply a label for a specific landmass. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> "Persia" very likely evolved from "Parshva" (meaning: 'next door', 'neighbouring' or 'nearby'). The Rig Vedic <i>Parsus</i> or <i>Parsavas</i> has been anglicized to Persians. So, maybe, the ancient Indus people (the Arya-s) called the people of the first/neighbouring port by the Sanskrit word "Parshva". <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Thus, courtesy the ancient Persians... to the world beyond, the vast areas around the Indus-SarasvatI rivers and its culture came to be known as the area of "Hindus" (thus the name "Hindustan" which literally means the <i>land of </i>"<i>Hindus</i>". Stan = land or place in Persian. Similar to <i>Sthan</i> in Sanskrit. ~ The similarity between "Stan" and "Sthan" is again due to <span class="textexposedshow">the<i> </i></span>ancient Avestan Persian<span class="textexposedshow">-Sanskrit connection which go back a long way.</span>) ~ This nomenclature stuck and became particularly prevalent after the arrival of the Mughals. The Mughals (based on the earlier Persian terminology) used the term "Hindu" to refer to the original inhabitants of the land and this label became the way to distinguish the indigenous/ancient culture from theirs. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> When the Greeks first reached the river plains of the Punjab, they borrowed the name of the region (Hindu) from the Persians and simply modified it to "Indós". "Indós" later morphed into "Indus" in Latin - by which name the river (Sindhu) is still known in the West. [~ The ancient Greeks referred to the ancient Indians as <i>Indói</i>, meaning: the people of the Indus.] The Romans began to call the whole landmass after this river and thus the name "India" came to stay ~ which has been the form used by Europeans over the ages. ~ Thus, "India" too is derived from the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">mighty River Indus, perhaps the largest of all rivers in the world after the Nile (Sanskrit: Nilah or Neel).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp; <span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>| </b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="hp">BG 10.24: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and of bodies of water I am the ocean." ~ It is a reference to the River Indus. Sarasam also indicates <i>saras</i> - meaning: gracefully flowing. <i>Saras </i>or<i> Sarasa</i> means spring, pool or fountain. <i>Saras</i> or Sarasa can also indicate SarasvatI. ~ The Sarasvati river is an important river goddess in the Rig Veda. The Sanskrit name means, "having many pools" (<i>also refer Ketaksha and Pushkara</i>). ~ The Sanskrit name for the River Indus is Sindhu. "Sindhu" means <i>river</i>, <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">. ~ If we understand this verse, we can also comprehend why this <i>sabhyata</i> is called Indus-Sarasvati Civilization.</span>]</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The greatness of the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization can be attributed to ancient Indian genius (~ and trade was the driving force/factor.) ... Excavations (though a lot remains to be excavated) have uncovered a civilization so vast in its extent that at its peak it is estimated to have encompassed a staggering 1.5 million sq km - an area larger than Western Europe. In size, it dwarfed contemporary civilizations in the Nile Valley in Egypt and in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys in Sumer (Sumerian Civilization - modern Iraq). <span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Goddess Sarasvati is a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography. She is also worshiped in Indonesia and Japan. So whether the Indus-SarasvatI Civilization stretched up to the Far East or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The </span><span class="textexposedshow">'Harappan' civilization is a phase (marked by the rise, intensification, diversification and subsequent evolution of an urban process) within the much earlier, more extensive and more durable Vedic Civilization that still continues. </span>~ Across this wide swathe of land, there was no cultural homogeneity or monolithicism, whatsoever. There was a diverse mix of population too... and so, people of varied physical appearances peopled this civilization. And yet, an underlying cultural affinity existed - a shared 'way of life', history, experience, knowledge, know-how, trade, and so on. ~ <i>Thus, our unity in diversity go back a long way</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>The emphasis has been on acceptance and assimilation. ... There has never been any 'Aryan Invasion' whatsoever. <span class="textexposedshow">The so-called </span>'Aryan blitzkrieg' or 'Aryan Invasion theory' is fictitious. It never happened. ~ When the British archaeologist (Wheeler) discovered a dozen skeletons, he propounded a theory about the final massacre by 'marauding invaders' that put an end to the Indus civilization. [~ This civilization is perennial and eternal - <i>sanaatan</i>; it can evolve, but not end.] ~ When an Indian scholar told him of <i>Hariyuppa</i> (or "Hariyupiyah") mentioned in the Rig Veda, he took it to mean Harappa. ~ And since a fort was known as <i>pur</i>, and Indra (possibly a 'title' for the king/ruler/chief of the ancient 'Deva' people) was known as <i>Purandhara</i> or destroyer of forts, it all fitted neatly. After all, weren't the Indus cities among the most fortified? ~ Archaeologists are known to stumble, but the kind of knocking that the 'Aryan Invasion theory' has taken has few parallels. There are still many misconceptions about this culture... that has resulted from the theoretical and cultural biases of the earliest excavators. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> As for Dravida: "Dramila" is believed to be the root of the word "Dravida" by some scholars. "Dramila" means, "running away" or "escaping". It is possible that this word was used (by our ancients) to refer to the people who escaped the great deluge that swallowed up Dvarka (Dvaravati). Later, these displaced people settled down in other parts. ~ And, perhaps with the passage of time, this word - Dramila - underwent certain changes, and gave rise to a new word, "Dravida". ~ It is not indicative of "race". The <span class="textexposedshow">Indian Civilization (the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization) is 'Aryavarsha' (~ abode of the <i>Arya</i> people; land of the noble ones; Arya = noble or noble-natured; a people who followed a pattern of life based on noble values and ideals. Varsha = continent, in Sanskrit)</span>.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Rabindra Sangeet enjoys the blissful alliance of its lyrics along with music. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ayi Bhuban Mano Mohini</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIvodHT2v04"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span>. | ~ This song is Tagore's celebration of nature during springtime. ... The sublime verses also celebrate Goddess Sarasvati ('Destiny' and 'Providence'), Goddess Lakshmi (<i>also</i> symbolizing 'Good fortune') and Goddess Parvati (popularly known as Goddess Durga - the Invincible)<i> as</i> Rudra-Siva. ~ This song should <i>also</i>help us understand just who the Mohini-avatar is. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Mohini = rare, uncommon. ~ The Krishn-avatar, a male, is also known as "Mohan". Therefore, "Mohini" is simply the feminine of "Mohan"... and is indicative of a female. The 'Sudarshan Chakra' - the combination of Ajna chakra (the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra) and Sahasrara (the 7<sup>th</sup> chakra or crown chakra - the highest chakra) is associated with this avatar.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<i>Neelsindhujaladhautacharantal, anilbikampita-shyamal-aanchal </i>(~ this should explain Krishna as Hari, and Krishn's depiction wrapped in cool cyan - bluish green), <i>ambarchumbitabhalhimachal</i> (the Himalayas), <i>shubhratushaarkiritini</i>'<i> </i>(snow-white crown or headgear).<i> </i>~ BG 10.25: || <span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sthāvarāṇāḿ himālayaḥ</i></span> || ~ "and of immovable things I am the Himalayas." ~ This could be a reference to the ancient Himalayan kingdom and/or the Himalayan ranges (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">shubhratushaarkiritini)</span></span></span> - indicative of:<i>personification of the Himalayas</i> (thus Goddess Parvati is also known as 'Himalaya-putri'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Putri = embodiment, personification or manifestation. ~ However, since </span>Goddess Parvati's father, Himavat (also known as Himavant) - the ruler of the Himalaya kingdom of ancient India is also considered as the personification of the Himalayan Mountains, here 'putri' can also mean daughter.<span class="text"> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The <i>saguna, saakar</i>Trimurti of 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' is non-different. (<i>Refer the relevant passages</i>). The impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form) cosmic Trimurti - 'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva' - is indicative of the Absolute OM/Brahmn - Cosmic Light or Light Divine ~ the impersonal 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi-Shakti' - <i>Primal Creative Energy</i>. ~ Rather 'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva' is indicative of the three <i>aspects</i> of the cosmic phenomenon of 'Creation-Maintenance-Dissolution'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rudra-Siva's depiction is allegorical, but the face is feminine (~ in other words: the facial features belong to a female). BG 10.23: || </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i></span> || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-Śiva] ~ There are eleven Rudras, of whom Rudra-Siva, is preeminent. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Trishul could be a reference to a group of three Himalayan mountain peaks. Or it could be an allegory for the three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Sarasvati. Or both. [The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the Sarasvati is known as Triveni Sangam or Prayag. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Triveni and Trishul; tri = three. ... W</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text">hile <i>sangam</i> is a popular word for a confluence of rivers, this particular confluence was called <i>Sangayam</i>, to represent the meeting of Sarasvati (sa), Ganga (ga) and Yamuna (yam). Sangayam could mean, to flow together.<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> For Neelkanth (the allegorical 'blue-throated one' - <i>refer relevant passages</i>).</span>]</span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'<i>Pratham prabhat uday taba gaganey,</i> (the sun rises in the east; the sun is <i>Pratyaksh-Brahmn</i> [refer the passages on the Gayatri Mantra and </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.21: || <i>jyotisam ravir amsuman</i> || ~ "of radiance I am the radiant sun"<i> (</i>ravir amsuman) - i.e. personification/manifestation or embodiment [putri] of the sun, a reference to goddess Sarasvati; She is Savitri = the goddess of dawn) <i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Pratham pracharita taba banbhabhaney Gyanadharma (the enlightened </i>'<i>way of life</i>'<i> - Arya Dharma or Sanaatan Dharma) koto Kabyakahini</i>' (~ think of Adikavi - Maharshi Valmiki and Maharshi Veda Vyas; due to the goddess' blessings the former overcame his prarabda karma (negative karma) and composed the Ramayana ('The Exertions of Sri Ram'), while the latter was assisted by the Goddess Herself [Sarasvati and Sri Ganesh are non-different] to compile his magnum opus - the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas' - a reference to the Purus or Puruvansh - descendents of Raja Yayati's youngest-born, Puru). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ Valmiki (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->väl-mē′kē) was a niṣāda (nishada) or vyadh (forest-dwelling hunter-gather) who also indulged in negative activities. His original name was Ratnakara. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Valmiki means: 'one who sits in an anthill</span>'. Maybe, it is indicative of his attaining <i>nirvana</i>; he was self-realized and did not have any attachment to sense objects. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> '<i>Chirakalyanamayi tumi dhanya, desh-bideshe bitorichho anno </i>(indicative of Goddess Lakshmi) --<i>jahnabi-jamuna bigalita karuna punyapijushstanyabahini</i>' (~ the bull is a familiar motif in the Indus seals. Also, rivers and cows are often poetically correlated in the Rig Veda).</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Bharatavarsha</i></span> means:&nbsp;the continent (Sanskrit: continent = 'varsha') that is dedicated (Sanskrit: dedicated = 'rata') to light, wisdom (Sanskrit: wisdom = 'bha'). ~ In other words: the light of wisdom or the wisdom of knowledge - enlightenment (through inner perfection - by the 'awakening' of the latent spiritual energy - kundalini - lying dormant at the base of the spine). ~ Bharatavarsha or Bharatadesam also means, "cherished land"<i>. </i>~ Yet another name for ancient India is&nbsp; <i>Jambudveepa</i> or Jambadveepa. [Jambu or Jamba = Indian blackberry.] So, maybe, there was an abundance of this tree ~ and hence the name. Thus, Jambudveepa = island of the Jambu or Jambul (Indian blackberry) trees. Or perhaps, ancient India was shaped like an Indian blackberry.&nbsp;<b><span style="color: #4c1130;"> </span></b></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">…………………………………………………………..</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.28: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk</i></span> || ~ "among cows I am the surabhi" (also known as <i>kamadhenu</i> - the "wish-fulfilling cow" ~ possibly a <i>metaphor</i>for prosperity, luck, etc.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span>Rivers and cows are often poetically correlated in the Rig Veda.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is Varadey Kaamarupinee (~ the fulfiller of wishes).<span class="text"> In other words: Destiny or 'Lady Luck'. (Kaamarupinee = kamadhenu).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">~ From what we can gather, Lord Krishn was tall and handsome - possessing soft features, pleasant looks and an easy charm, but his visual depiction is rather feminine. Maybe it is <i>symbolic</i>. Perhaps to indicate: it is Goddess Sarasvati (Destiny) <i>as</i> Lord Krishn - at yet another crucial turn of our history. ~ Soul or spirit is energy; it has no gender or form. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Our national anthem too indicates that </span>Goddess Sarasvati and Lord Krishn are non-different. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>The trinity or trimurti of Sarasvati (<i>also</i> symbolizing Destiny, 'Lady luck'), Lakshmi (<i>also</i> symbolizing Good fortune) and Parvati (Goddess Durga - symbolizing invincibility) are non-different. <i>Refer the relevant passages +</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a></b></i></span>.<span class="kword">] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">If we understand the concept of the syncretic form - indicative of the transcendence of both (the Gemini aspect) ~ we will also understand what the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic 'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu' and the <i>manifested</i>, saguna 'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi' indicates.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The allegoric <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Divine Dance</i></span> (refer the earlier passages) probably has come to be given a literal connotation ~ as 'Raas-leela'. Perhaps as a result of later-day stage plays, iconography, poetry, verses and the like. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is associated with <i>Prachya</i> - Eastern Country (Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks - <i>refer <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a></b></span></i>), not Madhyadesa (Middle Country). Mathura (Megasthenes' Methora) too is part of Eastern Country. Also, he was a Shurasena Yadu (Megasthenes' Sourasenoi). ... Eastern Country </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks) was <i>also</i> referred to as Magadha. ~ </span><span style="font-size: small;">Jarasandh, Chanakya, the Mauryas, the Nandas and later the Guptas were associated with <i>this</i>Magadha - the one on the western parts of ancient India. </span><span style="font-size: small;">... After the great dharma-yuddha (battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity, for a prosperous and vibrant society to emerge) - <i>this</i> Magadha became the foremost of ancient kingdoms with the new capital Pataliputra, a port city on the banks of the Ganges (~ this 'Ganges' could be a reference to ancient India). <span class="textexposedshow"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i> || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [Here, 'Ganga' is a reference to India.] </span></span>Did Lothal have anything to do with the port city? ~ The Nandas and Mauryas ruled <i>this</i> kingdom. And even the Guptas. ~ The Mauryas built the celebrated Mauryan Empire that spanned far and wide. </span><span style="font-size: small;">~ Lord Krishn founded <i>this</i> city of Pataliputra (</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Palibothra</i> or Palimbothra to the Greeks) - 138 generations before the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>||</b></span> Krishn was sent away to study at Maharshi Sandeepani and Garga Muni’s ashram at a very young age. Here he would have been put through a rigorous training regimen, spending his time reading a variety of subjects. (Ashrams or gurukul-s were situated in isolated/remote places and the students followed a disciplined life.) So, it is quite unlikely that Krishn would have been able to spend his time, especially his teenage years, in the company of milkmaids (including Radha) or by playing with village boys (Sudama included). Besides, he was not part of Madhyadesha or Middle Country region of the Mahabharata times. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> "Radha" - perhaps was originally meant to be a <i>metaphor</i>for Prakriti (nature during springtime). ~ Later translators probably took it in the literal sense. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rivers and cows are often poetically correlated in the Rig Veda. (~ Cows emerging out of mountains - is a reference to various rivers; in the Arya 'way of life' rivers and water-bodies were not polluted. ~ This should <i>also</i>help us understand what 'cows' are associated with Krishn. | Gopa = ruler, king or monarch. BG 10.27: || <span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">narāṇāḿ ca narādhipam</span> || ~ </i>"and among humans I am the monarch" (Cakravartin). </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Also, there was a large number of unnatural humans. Bheeshma, Dronacharya, Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidur, Karna, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Draupadi and her brother, Drishtadumna, Ghatotkach, Draupadi's five sons, etc - were all 'born' or begotten through various medical procedures (including advanced genetic engineering and cloning technology). Therefore, it is quite unlikely that a large number of milkmaids existed. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> It is possible, though, that "Gopa" (meaning: king, ruler or monarch) was also originally an <i>allegory</i> - indicative of "heavenly shepherd" or shepherd to his flock (humanity). ~ Later, this too may have been mis-interpreted and taken literally. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Besides, Jambavan was part of Treta. So Krishna could not have married Jambavani in Dvapar. ~ As for his supposed 16,108 'wives' or even 700,000 'wives' and 180,000 'sons': these cannot be taken at face value. These figures (very likely) came about courtesy the many cultic groups and movements that came up in his name ~ especially the 'Bhakti Movement'. Members of this movement considered themselves "married" to Sri Krishn. Yes, even the men. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ... The 'Bhakti Movement' being a reform movement, it could be that many of these stories were woven in order to mainstream some marginalized groups, such as the 'tritiya prakriti', etc. ~ A multitude of retelling, paintings, poems, songs, music, stage plays et al later... bits and pieces of these have (probably) gradually made their way into the narrative concerning Krishn.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span></b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Blue complexion:</span> Wherever there is the convergence of <i>purity</i> (inner perfection; Sat-cit-ānanda or the inner joy and tranquility - eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy or true contentment of self-realization) and <i>depth</i>(boundlessness) ~ it produces the colour blue. <span style="color: #20124d;"><i>Meghavarnam</i></span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The water of the seas and the sky - both are blue-hued. ~ And, since the Almighty combines both <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>purity</i></span> (inner perfection, i.e. lack of delusion due to non-attachment to sense objects + lack of delusion due to the transience of the material world that one inhabits) and <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>depth</i></span> or boundlessness, the Almighty too is (allegorically) 'blue-hued'. (~ It's a concept - indicative of divine attribute or divinity.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Blue</span> also stands for: meditation/introspection, peace, tranquility (inner joy of true contentment), depth (boundlessness), stability, trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, patience, decision-making and dharma (positive, tangible actions for the larger, collective good... leading to a prosperous, progressive and vibrant society.)<i>&nbsp;</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>Note</u>:</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Purity</i></span>does not refer to chastity or some such. That is mis-translation. ~ The social conditions or world-view prior to the decline of the Gupta era was considerably different.]</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Purity' refers to self-realization or Param-atma (Higher Self) realization. ~ Whosoever achieves self-realization is a pure or <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>perfect</i> person</span> (inner perfection - i.e. one who is truly enlightened; in other words: one who is non-deluded (dhirah or of steady mind) ~ it requires sense control, complete non-attachment to sense objects). </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="ital-inline">The process of <i>Self-realization</i> is a genuine spiritual transition or spiritual awakening ~ wherein humans reach a higher level of existence, by moving out of his or her inferior manas (lower mind or lower self) and into the superior manas (higher mind or Higher Self). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>This can be achieved, for example, by working towards a </span>higher cause - the greater, collective good and struggle (continuous effort) - towards it without being affected by lack of instant results or outcome. [Equanimity = to be unaffected by the transience of things, events, etc. E.g. to not feel exalted by praise, to not be deterred by barbs. To not be fickle-minded. To not give up. To not lose hope.] ~ By (symbolically) moving<span class="ital-inline"> out of his or her lower mind or lower self (mere Self or jiva-atma) and into the higher mind or Higher Self (Atman or Supersoul) ~ </span>one can (thus) become part of a higher destiny.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Self-realization is therefore the <span style="color: #4c1130;">pathway or route to inner perfection ~ one's progress as a human being... leading to Supreme Enlightenment.</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">It requires the awakening of the spiritual energy<i> - kundalini</i> (a latent energy that lies dormant in the spine). </span>Upon awakening, it rises in a sensation akin to a slithering reptile, up the spinal column (Meru-danda, also represented by the [allegoric] Mt Meru [Mandar Parvat] in the story. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> BG 10.23:<i> </i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>meruh sikharinam aham</i></span> || ~ "and of mountains I am Meru." (~ Here Mt Meru is <i>also</i> an allegory for Sahasrara Chakra - the 7<sup>th</sup> chakra, also known as the crown chakra - the highest chakra). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span class="text">BG 10.28: <i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">sarpāṇām asmi vāsukiḥ</span></i> || ~ "and of serpents I am Vāsuki." </span>~ Here Vasuki is an allegory for the latent spiritual energy - kundalini - that lies dormant at the base of the spine. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> If we look at the human brain: there is the left hemisphere (side 1) and the right hemisphere (side 2) ~ the area in the middle is (allegorically) occupied by a 'serpent'. ~ Therefore, in a manner of speaking, we can say: kundalini is 'serpent power'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Kunda = "to coil or to spiral". <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The power of kundalini can be allegorically termed as 'serpent power'. ~ It may be that our ancients termed the awakening/rousing of the kundalini power as 'a serpent's crown jewel' or 'the priceless jewel found inside the head of serpents'. ~ 'Coz in the final state of the Kundalini 'Fire' </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">- when kundalini passes through the top of the head, at the fontanel area, when the kundalini reaches the Sahasrara (the 7th chakra or crown chakra - the highest chakra) it (allegorically) shines forth like a diamond disc/chakra. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> If we can understand this, we can <i>also</i> comprehend what </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Tagore brilliantly conveyed through the sublime verses of 'Nirjarer Swapnabhango' ('Awakening/Rousing of the Fountain'). ~ Fountain = spring, sarasa. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Note how brilliantly he has combined Goddess Sarasvati and kundalini </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ as if two rivers rushed to greet each other; and as they met, sprays of water rose high in the air - and then the waters of the two 'rivers' (mere Self and Higher Self) joined together and in their immensity flowed as one single river. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">To Tagore, time moves in slow, majestic waves, rising up and sinking down again into the sea/ocean.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ In the sacrum bone (a large, triangular bone) at the base of the spine there exists a subtle and dormant coil of spiritual energy known as the <i>kundalini. </i>(Goddess Adi Shakti is associated with Kundalini). ~ The process of spiritual awakening (Enlightenment, or in other words, Self-realization) involves the gentle awakening/rousing of this living and conscious energy, so that it pervades an individual's entire being. Once <i>this</i> occurs, a person or individual is no longer disconnected from the universe around him or her - i.e. he or she is no longer confined inside his or her own head (courtesy: inflated ego, arrogance, confusion, delusion, selfish considerations, vainglory, etc) - but becomes a connected part of the greater cosmos (~ the mind is lit up, in a manner of speaking; in other words: the metaphoric <i>dimaag ki batti</i> is lit up - possibly depicted by the "halo" - symbolizing enlightenment or complete wisdom); it brings about self-knowledge (atma-vidya - self-reflection or knowledge of the Self) and inner joy or contentment - leading to <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat-cit-ānanda</i></span>, the eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy (total contentment) of "self-realization".&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sat-cit-ananda: <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>S</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>at</i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">describes an essence that is <i>pure</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">perfect</span> or inner perfection - i.e. non-deluded by the transient nature of the material or manifest world due to non-attachment to sense objects) and <i>timeless</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">eternal</span> - non-evanescent or non-transient); </span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>cit</i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">is consciousness (~ the complete awakening of the spiritual energy, kundalini - resulting in awareness, sentience - self-reflection, cognizance, insight and accurate interpretation - perception and internal wisdom); </span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">ananda</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"> is absolute bliss or spiritual ecstasy/true contentment - inner joy, peace and tranquility of self-realization. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Sat-cit-ananda essentially means to connect or commune with the Higher Self (sat)</span></span></span>. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The complete awakening of the spiritual energy - kundalini - unites the individual consciousness (mere Self) with the Universal Consciousness (Higher Self) ~ the <i>jiva-atma</i> (mere Self) or finite to the <i>Atman</i> or Infinite. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">This results in sat-cit-ananda - the eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy (inner joy and tranquility or true contentment) of self-realization</span>.</span></span></span> </span></span></span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ One who has experienced </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sat-cit-ananda - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>is</i> a pure or perfect person (inner perfection). ~ Kundalini awakening connects a human (mere Self) to his or her Atman (Supersoul or Higher Self) - which is the source of all things. This Atman is the eternal aspect of an individual's personality; when an individual become totally connected with it, such a person becomes a Buddha (the Enlightened One - the state of complete wisdom - <i>para vidya</i>). ~ Such a person is non-deluded by attachment to sense objects or by the transient nature of the material or manifest world that he or she inhabits; such a person gains or is filled with eternal (pure/perfect) or timeless (non-transient) knowledge - <i>para vidya</i>. [~ <i>Also refer to the passages on kundalini</i>.]</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.22:<i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana</i></span></i></span> || </i>~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (<span style="color: #4c1130;">manas</span>); and in living beings (bhutanam) I am the living force (<i>cit</i> or consciousness - <span style="color: #4c1130;">sentience</span>)"<b><span style="color: #660000;"> |</span></b> <span style="color: #0c343d;">If we can understand this, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">we will also understand what has been meant by </span><span style="color: #0c343d;">Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep into the ground</i>'.</span> [Literally: Karna = ears. Kundal = ear-ring; though it is probably derived from "kundalini" (<i>refer the relevant passages on Kundalini and Sahasrara or crown chakra</i>).] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> As per the narrative, Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep into the ground</i>' at a crucial time; he was, thus, unable to recollect the 'mantra' </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">for unleashing certain weaponry </span></span></span>(<span style="color: #4c1130;">~ this is indicative of cognitive dulling;&nbsp; the dulling of Karna's memory</span>). ~ Wheel = cakra or chakra, and (very likely) refers to Karna's mind chakra or Manasa Chakra, which is connected with most of the head (especially the brain), is a combination of sensing and intellect. [Maybe, only by weakening of Karna's "kundal"... could this unnatural human, ('son' of Lord Surya, a higher being, and Kunti - begotten through advanced genetic engineering) be rendered inactive; otherwise nothing else could affect him (~ as indicated by the "kavacha" - that was part of his genetic makeup.) ~ Hence, Karna could never have donated either his "kaavacha" or his "kundaal".</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Living force</span> (<i>cit</i> - sentience) </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">i.e. cetana or consciousness = life force or vital energy is a reference to <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">sentience</span></i>. It is also a reference to <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>kundalini</i><span style="color: #351c75;"> energy</span></span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Consciousness and conscience are two different things;<i> <i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">consciousness</span></i></i></i>[<i>cit</i> - cetana, life force]<i><i> </i></i>is awareness, sentience - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">self-reflection, cognizance, insight and accurate interpretation... resulting in perception and internal wisdom (insight). It is </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the ability to feel, think, perceive,<i><i></i></i>comprehend or to experience. </span></span></span>It is necessary for deeper insight. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is referring to the awakening of the <i>kundalini</i> energy - to the ajna chakra (6th chakra) and the Sahasrara (the crown chakra - the 7th chakra) ~ <i>also</i> allegorically represented by the syncretic form of Shiva-Shakti. 'Shiva' represents the 6th chakra or the third eye chakra. 'Shakti' represents the 7th chakra (crown chakra, Sahasrara or the highest chakra ~ depicted with an OM).&nbsp; [~ <i>Also refer the passages about sat-cit-ananda, kundalini, Sahasrara and the sixth chakra ~ to understand what 'lotus petals open and enlightenment takes place' and 'opening of the third eye' mean</i>.]</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The sixth chakra, the third eye chakra,&nbsp;is located in the center of the forehead&nbsp;above the eyebrows. The orientation is self-reflection and the&nbsp;main function is seeing, cognizance and accurate interpretation. In this chakra, an individual aims to open his or her internal wisdom and see at a deeper, more&nbsp;<i>perceptive</i> level.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> One can do this though the <i>third eye center</i>which is located between the eyes and is the organ for&nbsp;<i>inner perception.</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></i> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Opening the third eye allows an individual to see the big picture, transcend egocentricity, and find the deeper meaning inherent in all things (para vidya). <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->As inner sight develops, illusions disappear, clarity begins, and consciousness (cit) extends yet another step beyond what was available through the lower five chakras alone. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->As an individual makes his or her way up from the root chakra and out the crown of the head (sahasrara), he or she is gaining insight and delving deeper into his or her internal wisdom. And so, a person's actions become not only significant and purposeful, but also thoughtful. This road to thoughtful action is cognizance and accurate interpretation, <i>insight</i> - it guides an individual towards responding and acting appropriately (~ the path of "dharma" and "nishkam karm-yog").&nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Chakras are centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy. Chakras correspond to vital points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. The 7 Chakras are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. ~ <i>Kundalini</i>is vital for all the 7 Chakras (centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy) to be fully 'awakened'. ~ And <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>this</i></span> happens when kundalini reaches the 7<sup>th</sup>chakra - the Sahasrara or the crown chakra (the highest chakra).<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> ~ This is the chakra of (symbolic) one thousand petals. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sahasrara is unique in many ways. All other chakras feature (symbolic) upward, pointing lotuses. In the Sahasrara, the lotuses point downward, symbolizing freedom from the mundane (<span style="color: #4c1130;">inner perfection</span> - i.e. <i>self-realization</i> - non-deluded by the transient nature of the material or manifest world that one inhabits due to non-attachment to sense objects - the state of complete wisdom/enlightenment - the state of a Buddha), and divine rain from its petals. ~ The Sahasrara (the 7th chakra) was not considered an in-body chakra; (earlier) it was pictured as lying atop the head. The Saharsara is considered beyond most symbolic representations, although the chakra is usually perceived as white. ~ The Sahasrara is considered beyond senses, sense organs, and vital breath (prana or life-force). As such, it is often described without a seed syllable, although some sources depict it with an OM.&nbsp; <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">The 7th chakra or Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) is the chakra that integrates all the chakras with their respective qualities. ~ It is the last milestone of the evolution of human awareness. This happens when kundalini passes through the top of the head, at the fontanel area. ~ When the kundalini reaches the Sahasrara, the (symbolic) 'lotus petals' open and enlightenment takes place. ~ The kundalini (then) unites our individual consciousness (mere Self) with the Universal Consciousness (Higher Self) ~ the jiva-atma or finite to the Atman or Infinite. </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->This results in sat-cit-ananda - the eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy of self-realization. (<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Aham Brahmasmi - ah-HUM brah-MAHS-mee) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Aham = I, Brahmasmi = am Brahmn. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Meaning: I Am Brahmn. ~ This state is also said to be the state of complete wisdom or enlightenment (~ the state of a Buddha).</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ Tagore's brilliantly composed 'Nirjarer Swapnabhango' ('Awakening or Rousing of the Fountain') - conveying the awakening of his mere Self or individual self's ego-consciousness in the Higher Self; his journey of self-realization - of realizing the <i>Infinite</i>'I' within the <i>finite</i> 'I', his journey of transcending the narrow or self-centred philosophy to the philosophy of life, the philosophy of the greater whole (in other words: self-realization) was penned at the age of twenty.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Tagore's path to self-realization was through his considerable oeuvre; as a renaissance poet, thought leader, educationist, humanitarian, and as one of the finest ambassadors of Indian/Eastern thought and philosophy to the rest of the world. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->He credits several illuminating experiences from his childhood with shaping his life and establishing its creative direction. When he was learning to read at about the age of six, disconnected words suddenly came together as he encountered the rhyming phrase "<i>jal parey/pata narey</i>" (the water falls/the leaf trembles) in his spelling book. The rhythm of the words connected him for the first time with a harmonious creative dimension. ~ "I was no longer a mere student with his mind muffled by spelling lessons," he writes. "The rhythmic picture of the tremulous leaves beaten by the rain opened before my mind the world which does not merely carry information, but a harmony with my being. The unmeaning fragments lost their individual isolation and my mind reveled in the unity of a vision." ~ Tagore wrote poetry as an eight-year-old. At age sixteen, he released his first substantial poems... and the next sixty-four years were marked by the emergence and torrential flow of creativity in manifold forms.&nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Swami Vivekananda too imbibed and conveyed this essence succinctly: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Bohu-rupe sammukhe tomar aami, kotha khunjichho Ishvar? Jibe prem kare jei jan, Shei jan shebichhe Ishvar</i></span> || ~ Service to mankind (not restricted to humanity alone) is service to God. That is true worship. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ~ This, to Vivekananda, was <i>his</i> path to self-realization (or Param-atma realization); it was <i>his</i> path to uniting or connecting his individual consciousness or mere Self (the finite 'I') with the Higher Self (the Infinite 'I'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vivekananda means: 'one who derives happiness (ananda) through one's consciousness (cit)' or one who has achieved eternal (sat) bliss or spiritual ecstasy of true contentment i.e. inner joy and tranquility of self-realization ~ <i>Sat-cit-ānanda</i> (pronounced as: sach-chid-ānanda). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Sat</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">describes an essence that is <i>pure</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">perfect or inner perfection</span> - i.e. non-deluded by the transient nature of the material or manifest world due to non-attachment to sense objects) and <i>timeless</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">eternal</span> - non-evanescent or non-transient); </span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">cit</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: #351c75;">is consciousness (~ the complete awakening of the spiritual energy - kundalini - resulting in awareness, sentience - self-reflection, cognizance, insight and accurate interpretation... leading to perception and internal wisdom); </span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>ananda</i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> is absolute bliss or spiritual ecstasy/true contentment ~ inner joy, peace and tranquility of self-realization. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>Sat-cit-ananda essentially means to connect or commune with the Higher Self (Supersoul or Atman). <span style="color: #4c1130;">~</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"> The complete awakening of the spiritual energy - kundalini - unites the individual consciousness (mere Self) with the Universal Consciousness (Higher Self) ~ the <i>jiva-atma </i>(mere Self) or finite to the <i>Atman</i> or Infinite.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This results in sat-cit-ananda - the eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy (inner joy or true contentment) of self-realization.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Only when humans gain enlightenment - the state of complete wisdom, the state of a Buddha, the Sahasrara or the 7<sup>th</sup> Chakra - <span style="color: #4c1130;">the (symbolic) 'thousand-petaled lotus' opens up fully ~ symbolizing that the <i>kundalini</i> power has been fully awakened</span>.&nbsp; </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.33: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>akṣarāṇām a-kāro 'smi</i></span> || ~ "Of letters I am the letter 'A'." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is also referring to <i>kundalini</i>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The sound 'A' is the foremost of the sounds. All the alphabets begin with the letter 'A', thus is number 1. Before number one it can only be zero (shunya). ~ Zero (shunya) is the potential Creation, the <i>Cosmic Egg</i>, which would manifest in due course of time, and Fire (Cosmic Fire/Light Divine/Divine Effulgence or the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Brahm-jyotih' / 'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy) is the basis for such manifestation. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> All the planes of existence are the result of the work of <i>Agni</i> (Cosmic Light or Light Divine - the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM). Agni transforms; transforms that which is subtle to gross and also transforms the gross to subtle. In the beginning it is from subtle to gross and later from gross to subtle. The evolution and involution is the work of Agni. ~ The whole creation-related work commences from Agni, and Agni is the one who emerges from the unfamiliar to the known as the Cosmic Bang - indicative of the commencement of the cosmic phenomenon of "Creation". ~ Thus, it is probably said: Brahma emerged from the Cosmic Egg due to the Cosmic Bang. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The dynamism in us is also Fire. ~ The Kundalini 'Fire' causes enlightenment of the brain cells. But enflaming the Kundalini 'Fire' requires service to the fellow beings, to the society (steadfast, selfless/nishkam service or action... that contributes towards a better society.) One has to dedicate oneself to nishkam karm - without which the Kundalini 'Fire' is not ignited. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>Agni: exists as Cosmic Fire, Solar Fire and as Frictional Fire. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the sacrum bone (a large, triangular bone) at the base of the spine there exists a subtle and dormant coil of spiritual energy known as the <i>kundalini.</i></span></span></span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Kundalini Fire is Frictional Fire, when it is below the diaphragm. When it is above the diaphragm, it is already Solar Fire, and when it reaches the brain, it is Electric Fire (brilliant white). As one progresses regularly (in nishkam karm), the brilliance of the 'Golden disc' (Solar Fire) grows. Just as the morning Sun who is Golden in colour grows to brilliant white, the 'Golden disc/chakra' visualized at the eyebrow centre (ajna chakra - the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra) rises to Ajnea center/chakra and shines forth like a diamond disc/chakra. ... This is the final state of the Kundalini 'Fire'. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">When this 'chakra' opens, it is deemed as the opening of the (symbolic) Third Eye.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This phenomenon is perhaps <i>also</i> indicated by the syncretic form of Shiva and Shakti. ~ The Shiva and the Shakti join within Sahasrara (the crown chakra or 7th chakra - the highest chakra) to create <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>brahma-ranhdra</i></span>, the transcendence of both. ~ Within this chakra, the individual personality dissolves into the essence of the all (~ i.e. the realization of </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the <i>Infinite</i>'I' within the <i>finite</i> 'I'</span></span></span>; the union of the <i>jiva-atma</i> or mere Self (individual consciousness) with the Universal Consciousness - <i>Atman</i> or Higher Self.)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The third-eye chakra:</span> This is where the state of thoughtless (tranquil, non-deluded) awareness or <i>Nirvikalpa Samadhi</i> happens. ~ In this state one can actually feel the beautiful Silence, the Stillness, which is at the heart of creation. The primary quality of this chakra is forgiveness and magnanimity; <span class="blue">high-mindedness, nobility of spirit: <i>the ability to rise above selfish considerations.</i></span> There is freedom from inflated ego, hubris, arrogance, contempt, and the like.&nbsp;</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ If we can understand this, we can also understand why Rudra-Siva is also known as '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Sada-Shiva</span>' and '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Bhola Nath</span>'. ~ "Shiva" means: the kindly, auspicious one, one who is eternally pure. Pure = perfect person i.e. inner perfection - one who has achieved sense control, is non-selfish (nishkam) or non-deluded by transient aspects, including the transient nature of the material world. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rudra-Siva's state is eternal perfection ('Sada-Shiva') and eternal tranquility (sat-cit-ananda). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Sada = always, constant, eternal.] </span></span></span>Rudra-Siva possesses the ability to rise above selfish (sakama) considerations. ~ The sobrequets, 'Sada-Siva' and 'Bhola Nath' indicates all of this. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Bhola = non-selfish or <i>nishkam</i> + dhirah - one who is non-deluded by transient aspects and is not attached to sense objects - the state of a Buddha (the Enlightened One). Nath = monarch or guardian. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rudra-Siva is non-deluded and possesses complete sense control, and hence <i>is</i> the foremost of karm-yogi-s (~ not to be misconstrued for renunciation).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If we can comprehend this, we can also understand what '<i>path-e path-e bahir hoye apan haara..</i>.' or </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">'<i>Aakash bojhe ananda taar, bojhe nishar nirab tara</i>' </span>- in Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ogo Nadi Apon Bege</span>' <i>(</i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEmjzBMBR-k"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a></span>) </i>means<i>.</i> [~ H</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">ere tara (star) is a reference to the Pole Star or Lode Star (Dhruva Tara or Shuktara - the Morning Star. </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Also known as the Guiding star). ~ Our national anthem is 'The Morning Song of India' ~ <span class="kword">an ode to that <i>Bhagya Vidhata </i>[ed. Lord of Destiny] - who (in Tagore's own words) "</span></span><span class="kword"><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved</span><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">" [Here are the complete five stanzas: <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OANYQQmtRXU"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i></span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="text">The Hindu and Buddhist alike regard Mt Meru (the central 'mountain' of the world) as the location of </span><span class="blue">the fabled Buddhist land or mythical kingdom of </span><span class="text">Shambhala. [Mt Meru: </span><span class="fcknormaltext0">is taken as the true centre of the planet and the world's spiritual powerhouse; it is the heartbeat of whole universe, the base of spiritual consciousness, heart of divinity; it </span><span class="text">is the center of the cosmos. Its summit is believed to align to the wheeling constellation of Ursa Major, the Seven Stars that circle the Pole.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>BG 10.23: || <i>meruh sikharinam aham</i> || ~ "and of mountains I am Meru." ~ Mt. Meru is very likely an allegorical mountain. The <i>Dasavatara</i> depicts Sri Vishnu (i.e. the stabilizing/preserving/maintainer <i>aspect</i>of the impersonal Absolute OM/Brahmn) as supporting Mt. Meru ~ as the Kurma Avatar. [Maybe, it has something to do with the cosmic architecture.] ~ If we understand the <i>dual aspect</i> of the Cosmic Trimurti - </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu' and 'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi' - we will understand this. ~ And then, we can <i>also</i> fully comprehend what the 'Cosmic Duality' or 'ArdhaNarishvara'/ 'ArdhaNarishvari' concept is all about. [~ Impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), <i>unmanifested</i> (niraakar, avyaktah - without form) Brahmn - Absolute OM/Brahmn (</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu') </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">+</span> manifested (saakar, vyaktah), <i>saguna</i> Almighty OM/Brahm-putri or Brahmi or Brahmani - </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi'</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="blue"><span class="fcknormaltext0"><span class="kword"><span style="color: #351c75;">. ~ This <i>also</i> explains the concepts of Advaita (monism), Dvaita (dualism or duality) and Astika (theism). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Here, 'Putri' = manifestation, embodiment or personification.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Sarasvati Gayatri Mantra:</span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK8wVcGzD68"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link2</span></a></b></i>.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">|| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>OM Sarasvatyei Vidmahe, Brahmaputriye Dhimahi, Tanno Devi Prachodayat</i></span> || ~ "OM. May we meditate on the Great Goddess Sri Sarasvati, who is the embodiment/<span style="color: #0c343d;">manifestation</span>/personification - Brahm-putri - of the (impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i>) Absolute OM/Brahmn - the <i>impersonal</i> Cosmic Trimurti of 'Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu', and who is also the embodiment/<span style="color: #0c343d;">manifestation</span>/personification of the majestic Sun-God (Pratyaksh-Brahmn - <i>symbolizing</i> the self-effulgent impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">). May that effulgent Maha Sarasvati Devi inspire and illumine our mind and understanding."&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[~ Goddess Sarasvati is also known as <span style="color: #4c1130;">Brahmi</span> - <i>manifestation</i> of </span><span style="color: #351c75;">the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic Brahma - the Supreme Creator or Srashtaa. ~ She is also known known as <span style="color: #4c1130;">Brahmani</span> - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>manifestation</i> of </span><span style="color: #351c75;">the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic Brahmn - the impersonal <i>Absolute</i> OM.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The majestic Sun-God (Pratyaksh-Brahmn - <i>symbolizing</i> the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Brahm-jyotih) stands for an embodiment of knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light, wisdom, intellectual illumination, and so on. ~ Goddess Sarasvati embodies or represents all of this.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp; </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Self-realization</span> is the process of genuine, inner spiritual transformation and must be experienced to be understood, since it lies beyond the domain of scriptural description or academic definition (terminologies, etc). <span class="textexposedshow">This 'way of life' is performative and is (therefore) to be experienced. <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Thus, the central concepts of dharma and karm-yog elude translation</span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Self-realization</i></span> is the essence of Sanaatan Dharma. Rather, self-realization <i>is</i> Sanaatan Dharma (Adi Dharma). ... Self-realization leads to <i>Ananda</i> (inner joy, peace, tranquility or true contentment) ~ the eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy (true contentment) of self-realization ~ <i>Sat-cit-ānanda</i>.<span class="textexposedshow"> </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The union or confluence of the <i>jiva-atma</i> (the mere Self or individual consciousness) with the <i>atman</i> (Higher Self or Supersoul - the Universal Consciousness) is called Sanaatan Dharma or Adi Dharma. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Adi = foremost, most ancient; Dharma = path of illumination ~ noble 'way of life'.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once (during his famous trip abroad), some people drew Swami Vivekananda's attention toward a pile of books ~ sacred books of every faith, stacked high against the wall. The <i>Srimad</i> Bhagavad-Gita lay at the bottom, while the other books were piled on top of it. ~ The ones who drew Swami-ji's attention towards this arrangement perhaps intended it as a slight or snub ~ since he hailed from a colonized nation; probably there were some (misguided and thoughtless) aspects arising out of colour of skin too. However, Swami-ji (in his characteristic serene manner) smilingly responded that it was the right arrangement, since <i>the root is always at the bottom</i>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Vivekananda</i> means: 'one who derives happiness through one's consciousness' or one who has achieved eternal bliss of self-realization - <i>Sat-cit-ananda</i> (pronounced as: sach-chid-ananda). (<i>refer relevant passages</i>) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat</i></span> describes an essence that is <i>pure</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">perfect</span> i.e. inner perfection - non-deluded by transient aspects and non-attachment to sense objects) and <i>timeless</i> (eternal - non-evanescent or non-transient); <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>cit</i></span> is consciousness (union of the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness - that comes about with the complete awakening of the latent spiritual energy - kundalini - lying dormant at the base of the spine); <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>ananda</i></span> is inner joy and tranquility or absolute bliss (spiritual ecstasy or true contentment).</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">.............................................................</span> </b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aham Brahmasmi (ah-HUM brah-MAHS-mee) ~ Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, 1.4.10 (of the Yajur Veda.)<b>&nbsp;</b></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>~ </b>Aham = I, Brahmasmi = am Brahmn. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Meaning: I Am Brahmn (~ indicating the confluence of the <i>jiva-atma</i> (mere Self, individual consciousness or finite) with the Higher Self (<i>Atman</i> or Supersoul - universal consciousness - the Infinite). <i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>The impersonal (nirguna - without qualities) and unmanifested (niraakar, avyaktah - without form) Brahmn </i><i>(the <i>Absolute</i> OM - </i></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Brahm-jyotih</i></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i> or </i></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Aadi Shakti</i></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><i> - Primal Creative Energy)&nbsp;is defined as the one self-existent impersonal spirit - the Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </i></span></i><span style="color: #351c75;">The impersonal<i> </i>Absolute OM is beyond all thought. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Primal Creative Energy ('Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti') does not mean feminine energy.&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Energy has no form or gender</i>. ~ Primal Cosmic Energy is <i>Purusha</i> - Cosmic Energy or Supreme Cosmic Spirit. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The Cosmic Entity or Primal Being is <i>Purushottama</i> (Supreme Being) or Purushottama Satya - Supreme Godhead. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The impersonal Absolute OM is Omprakash (Cosmic Light or Light Divine). The Almighty is Omswaroop - manifestation of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ It is the light (divine effulgence or light divine) that impersonalists perceive in the <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Nirguna</span> </i>(impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> - avyaktah, Niraakar) <i>mode</i> of God/Almighty.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are two aspects of Brahmn. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> One is the <i>Absolute</i> OM/Brahmn. The other is Brahma-putri - the <i>Almighty </i>OM or God. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The <i>Absolute</i> OM/Brahmn is the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> or avyaktah, Niraakar Brahmn <i>~</i><span class="textexposedshow"><i></i> </span></span></span></span>Cosmic Light or Light Divine (i.e. divine effulgence - <span class="textexposedshow">'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti'</span>) - Primal Creative Energy.&nbsp;<span class="textexposedshow"></span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The other is <i>Mahat</i> (the Great One, Guiding Spirit, Higher Soul; also: universal mind, cosmic intelligence) or <i>Ishvari</i> (the Almighty). Mahat is the Cosmic Entity (Cosmic Ruler and Cosmic Teacher/Steward-mentor - the Primordial or Primal Being). ~ Mahat or Ishvari is the motive power and guiding spirit behind the mathematically precise universes; the supreme power/authority of the universe/cosmos - <span class="text"><i>adhaataa</i>(above whom there is no other). Mahat or Ishvari is </span>Jagat-patih or Vishva Nath - Sovereign or Monarch (Nath) of the Universe and Lord of Creation<span class="text">. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>The Cosmic Entity (Almighty OM) is (thus) the highest possible conception of the <i>Absolute </i>OM/Brahmn<i> </i>('Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi Shakti')<i> </i><i>~</i> the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> (avyaktah, Niraakar) Brahmn - Cosmic Light or Light Divine - Divine effulgence, which is beyond all thought.&nbsp;<span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Mahat or Ishvari is (therefore)<i> manifested</i>Brahmn - vyaktah, saguna, Saakar Brahmn. <b><span style="color: #660000;">| </span></b><span class="text">As <i>manifested</i> Brahmn (i.e. as vyaktah, saguna, saakar Brahmn) ~ Mahat or Ishvari (the Cosmic Entity) is </span><span class="text"><i>Omswaroop</i> - manifestation of Absolute OM. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Mahat or Ishvari - the Cosmic Entity - is also <i>kartaa</i>: The doer, <i>maargah</i>: The path, and <i>neyah</i>: The guide.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>~ </b>(Aham = I, Brahmasmi = am Brahmn. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>Meaning: I Am Brahmn. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ As you think, so you become. Think you are Brahmn; Brahmn you will become</span></span></span>).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Fill the mind with Atman/Supersoul. Then the mind becomes identified with Brahmn (Higher Self or universal consciousness). In other words: the mind becomes <i>Sattvic</i>, immune from selfish or worldly thoughts. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ As you think, so you become. Think you are Brahmn; Brahmn you will become. ~ This means: your entire being, your <i>karm</i>, your thoughts... will reflect that (<i>sattvic</i> aspects).<span class="textexposedshow"></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When the mind is attached to objects of the senses and to that which lies without, mental focus&nbsp;and rational stability are impaired, as is concentration and steadfastness. As a result, such attachment (of the senses) leads to narrow selfish (sakama) thoughts, inconstancy and lack of direction. [The mind is <i>thus</i> weak, agitated or fickle.] But when the mind is withdrawn from sense-objects and given <i>dharmic</i>direction (i.e. doing what is for the larger good with inner detachment; steadfast karm/effort with equanimity and equipoise - </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">for the larger good</span></span></span>), this fleeting flux of attachment (or selfish thoughts) vanishes and <i>dharmic</i> fixity is established. ~ The mind - having acquired an attitude of concentration and equipoise - is thus balanced and steadfast, and (therefore) is now free to establish its sovereignty and <i>dharmic</i> authority. [i.e. The mind is <i>Sattvic</i> - immune from selfish or worldly thoughts.] ~ It is the state of <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Turyaga</span> </i>- the state of a Muni/Jnani or "yogi" - a <i>truly enlightened person</i>; it does not indicate renunciation, though; it means: being unaffected by sense objects or worldly objects; it leads to (inner) "detachment" (Jeevan Mukta) ~ allowing one to enter into </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">thoughtless (tranquil, non-deluded) awareness or</span></span></span><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span>nirvikalpa samadhi</i> to 'awaken' to "Moksha" (liberation). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>When the mind is completely absorbed in one object of meditation, it is termed <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Samadhi</i></span>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Having gained the realization of the Ultimate/Eternal Truth (Self-realization), one is never again deluded. (~ A self-realized being possesses the mental maturity and intellectual discrimination to differentiate between the enduring and the ephemeral/transient or trivial aspects - like the swan/hamsah.) ~ When the mind is withdrawn from the sense objects and deep reflection sets in, the objective consciousness is 'closed' - i.e. submerging of the individual self's ego-consciousness within the universal consciousness or Higher Self; <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Savitarka Samadhi</i></span> commences. This is <i>Samadhi</i> (meditation/introspection or awareness) with reasoning. The mind here is free from worldly thoughts; such thoughts cannot enter now. The mind is (thus) <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sattvic</i></span>. (It can be called <i>Chitta Suddhi</i>. Chitta = Cit). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> When the mind is completely absorbed in one object of meditation, it is termed <i>Samadhi</i>. ~ Nishkam karm-yog (selfless action or service to humanity) is also a kind of meditation. It destroys the ego (negative or false pride, inflated ego, ahankara, narrow perspective, vainglory, contempt, etc). ~ Nishkam karm-yog requires complete self-sacrifice (total devotion)... of selfless action or service to humanity. Such a yogi is a <span style="color: #4c1130;">Nishkam karm-yogi </span>(~ possessing monk-like focus, non-deluded by transient aspects, non-selfish and non-attachment to sense objects). ~ Such a karm-yogi is <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>hamsah</i> - the swan</span>. [~ This also explains what 'Sada-Shiva' and 'Bhola Nath' means.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Complete self-sacrifice of selfless action or service (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">i.e. total devotion to a greater societal cause) = to give up a carefree life, to be prepared for myriad barbs, bile and so forth. <span style="color: #351c75;">~ And to display <span style="color: #4c1130;">equanimity</span> - to not be affected or feel exalted by success or praise or accolades + to not feel dejected by setbacks, lack of quick or instant tangible results/outcome, barbs, and so on. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Fame, success, glory et al are transient.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ When one enters into <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">nirvikalpa samadhi</span> </i>(</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">thoughtless or tranquil, non-selfish or non-deluded awareness)</span></span></span></span></span></span>, one's heart is larger than the universe itself. One 'sees' the universe as a tiny dot inside one's vast heart. (Aham Brahmasmi ~ I am Brahmn - represents the union or confluence of the mere Self (<i>jiva-atma</i> or individual consciousness) with the Higher Self (<i>atman</i> or Supersoul - universal consciousness). ~ One<span class="usercontent"> then (in a manner of speaking) reflects the light of every being in the universe, and one's light is reflected in them. ['</span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Aalo Aamar Aalo</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4-aqxOEEmA"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span>.] <span class="usercontent">One can feel the expansiveness of one's being... an expression of the infinite field of intelligence and all possibilities. ~ </span>Becoming one with the soul is possible only in the <i>Nirvikalpa Samadhi</i> state - i.e. when the mind is <i>Sattvic</i> - free from all worldly or narrow selfish thoughts. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Should one hold communion with the Higher Self (Atman or Supersoul - universal consciousness), devoid of mental attachments (to sense objects) etc, then the great bondage of the mind will cease, all doubts will vanish, all pratibandha or vighna (impediments of the mind and spirit) will disappear, and all (negative/prarabda) karmas will perish. ... It is then (i.e. only after attaining the stage of Nirvikalpa Samadhi - when the mind is <i>Sattvic</i>, free from all selfish, worldly thoughts, etc) that one gains Realization of God and the Self (~ <i>Self-realization</i> or Param-aatma realization.) ~ It is then that <i>Jiva-atma</i> (the mere Self or individual consciousness) becomes identical with the Higher Self or Supersoul (<i>Atman</i> or Param-atma<span style="color: #351c75;"> </span>- universal consciousness). ... In other words: to dissolve in each other in a cosmic way.</span> [~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Hridayo Basanta Boney Je</span>': </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyOKl6is5Bo"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b></span>. Tagore is referring to 'Self-realization' and the inner joy, tranquility and contentment of self-realization - sat-cit-ananda.]</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Self-realization (or Param-aatma realization) is to fully know and understand oneself (atmavidya - self-reflection). Before knowing God, it is important to know oneself (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Ātmavidyā</i></span> or "knowledge of the Self"). If one understands oneself... only then it is possible to understand God, i.e. only then can one gain <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Brahmavidyā</i></span> or "knowledge of Brahmn", Manifested Cosmos, etc. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[~ Here,<i> Brahmn</i> = Higher Self, Atman, Param-atma or Supersoul - Universal Consciousness.]</span></span></span> With the realization of the Universal Consciousness (Atman, Supersoul or Higher Self) come universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge).</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>..............................................................</b></span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>hamsah</i></span> (either the white swan or the bar-headed white goose) is an important element in the symbology found in <i>Sanaatan Dharma</i> - and represents: <i>wisdom</i> (of non-transient knowledge) and <i>beauty</i> (<span style="color: #4c1130;">sundar</span> = <i>sattvic</i> traits - auspiciousness, goodness, non-selfish and devoid of narrow perspective; in other words: <span style="color: #4c1130;">inner perfection</span>). The <i>Hamsa</i>represents perfect union, balance and life. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> A constant repetition of the word "hamso" changes it to "Soaham", which means: "That I am" or "I am He". <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Ham-sa when inverted reads as <i>sa-ham</i>, which in Sanskrit means: 'the oneness of the human (finite) and the divine (Infinite)'. ~ Hence, the <i>hamsa</i> is often identified with the Eternal Truth (Sat/Satya) and Sundar (auspiciousness, goodness, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">non-selfish and devoid of narrow perspective</span></span></span> - <i>sattvic</i>traits; inner perfection).&nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The <i>Hamsa</i> is seen as a symbol of purity/<span style="color: #4c1130;">perfection</span> (<i>inner perfection</i> - non-deluded (dhirah) due to sense control, non-selfish + sat-cit-ananda), <span style="color: #4c1130;">detachment</span> (</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the dharmic freedom of inner detachment or <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Jeevan Mukta </i><span style="color: #351c75;">- due to </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">non-attachment to sense objects</span></span>), divine knowledge, cosmic breath (prana or universal consciousness, the spiritual energy - kundalini) and the highest spiritual accomplishment. It is supposed to transcend the limitations of creation - for it can walk on the earth, fly in the sky (air) and swim in the water. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Just as the swan or <i>hamsa</i> lives on water but its feathers do not get damp, similarly a <i>Hamsan</i> (i.e. a true yogi/ascetic - a real karm-yogi) lives in this material or manifest world full of <i>Maya </i>(transience), yet remains detached and is not impacted by its transient or evanescent nature</span>. A <i>hamsan</i>- a true yogi, a real karm-yogi - thus possesses sense control, which requires a steadfast and alert intellect. (~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Essentially the state of a Buddha</span>.)</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aji Jhara Jhara Mukharo Badoro Diney</span>': </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">li</span></a></i></b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">nk</span></a></i></b></span>.<span style="color: #351c75;"> ('... <i>oi balaka-r pathakhani nitey chiney</i>...' balaka = white goose or hamsa. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '<i>Meghamallar shara dinaman | baje jharonaro (spring, fountain) gaan</i>...' is a reference to Goddess Sarasvati</span>). ~ Tagore also hints at the source of his inspiration; he credits the Goddess for his multifaceted talent and vast oeuvre.&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Chaander Haasir Baandh Bhengechhe</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Ens7XGwV8"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>link</i></span></b></a>. (</span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ <span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">'</span></span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Neel gaganer lalatkhani chandan-e aaj makha,</span></span></i><b> </b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">b</span></span></i><i>anibaner hamsa-mithun melechhe aaj pakha...</i>') <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Hamsa-mithun = the Cosmic Duality (~ the dual aspects of the Trimurti - the cosmic, impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> '</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="kword">Shiva-Brahma-Vishnu' and the manifested, <i>saguna</i> 'Parvati-Sarasvati-Lakshmi' ~</span><i><span class="kword"> </span>refer the relevant passages</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Melechhe aaj pakha = ascent).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Prana Bhoriye Trisha Hariye</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQVzxtvmMk"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>. [</span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i>prana</i>, the breath of life or vital energy - <i>cit</i> or cetana - <i>sentience</i>; it is a reference to the 'awakening' of the latent spiritual energy - <span style="color: #4c1130;">kundalini</span>.] </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ The <i>hamsa</i> is supposed to possess the ability to separate the water from the cream (in milk). The hamsa's ability to separate milk and water symbolizes the need to intellectually discriminate or differentiate between positive and negative aspects (i.e. between the enduring/durable and the evanescent/ephemeral/trivia). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">E.g: The English language, in a generic sense, was the (metaphoric or proverbial) 'amrit' that arose out of a (symbolic) 'manthan' - colonization. ~ Today this language is a link language - globally. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore said: "<i>We must recognize that it is providential that the West has come to India. And yet some one must show the East to the West, and convince the West that the East has her contribution to make to the history of civilization</i>." [~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Tagore saw the need for international cooperation and sharing. T</span><span style="font-size: small;">he bard advised (rather insisted) that India must learn from other nations, for example, in science, as well as look inward. Tagore believed that India had a message for the world, but he thought India must also incorporate others' messages into her own cultural and intellectual repertoire. Tagore also believed that inner development or cultivation of the self was vital, that India too must develop herself from within... instead of merely relying upon or borrowing others' ideas and innovations.]&nbsp; </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">During <i>pranayama</i>, which is a yogic exercise of breath control, the inhalation is believed to sound like "ham", while the exhalation is believed to sound like "sa". Thus, a <i>hamsa </i>came to epitomize the <i>prana</i>, the breath of life.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Ajapa</i> (A + Japa = No + Chant) is the primal Mantra.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This <i>chantless</i> Mantra pervades the breath going in and out, the subtle sound 'sah' going in and the subtle sound 'ham' going out. (Sa = Siva, Vishnu, Lakshmi, or Gauri; Ham = I am; so = Parvati.) As one chants this subtle-sound Mantra 'soham', a derivative of 'sah-ham', 'Hamsa' comes into being by inversion. Soham, Hamsa and AUM (Pranavah) are equipotent. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">OM or AUM is the sound of primal energy - <i>Omkar</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Bhairava - the Primordial sound (Pranava Naad or Shabda Brahmn). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>This aspect is found in our national anthem too.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Soham</i> is the unintonated sound of normal breathing, meaning: 'I am He.' ["aham" + "sa"]</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The awareness that one is inseparable from or is a part of the <i>divine</i> (Brahmn) - exists only in enlightened persons.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Prana Bhoriye Trisha Hariye</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQVzxtvmMk"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a></span>. <span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>&nbsp; '... <i>Tabo bhubhaney tabo bhabhaney morey aaro aaro aaro dao sthan </i><i>|</i><i> Aaro aalo, aaro aalo, ei nayaney prabhu (My Lord) dhalo | surey surey banshi purey tumi aaro aaro aaro dao taan. ... Mor aami (ego-consciousness) dube jak nemey sudhadharey aponare (universal consciousness/Supersoul/Higher Self) tumi aaro aaro aaro karo daan...</i>' ~ the infinite (boundless - universal consciousness) within the bound of the form (finite - individual consciousness).</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->It became the keynote of his life: the great is to be found in the small, the infinite within the bound of the form (finite), and the eternal freedom of the soul in universal love, collaborative reflection, compassion (humanism) and understanding. </span>~ That the trials of obstacles, the burning of sorrow only deepens that joy (~ turning hardships into motivation and inspiration). He embraced human life and humanity's very existence on earth with such exuberant ecstasy. Through varied artistic outlets, he explored the ecstatic bliss (sat-cit-ananda) of the Universal Soul (universal consciousness or Higher Self) in the human soul (individual consciousness or mere Self).</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us 'universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."<span class="text">&nbsp; ~ Albert Einstein</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">'<i>Mor aami (ego-consciousness) dube jak nemey sudhadharey aponare (universal consciousness/Supersoul/Higher Self - universal intelligence or cosmic mind) tumi aaro aaro aaro karo daan</i>' </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">~ </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Tagore is referring to the spiritual ecstasy - inner joy, peace and tranquility (true contentment) of 'self-realization' (~ the confluence of the mere Self/finite - individual consciousness with the Higher Self/Infinite - universal consciousness). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span>Tagore aspires for his ego-consciousness (the <i>finite</i> 'I') to be completely submerged in the Higher Self - the <i>infinite</i> 'I' ~ so as to awaken in the Higher Self. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> He </span>aspires to realize the <i>Infinite</i> 'I' within the <i>finite</i> 'I' ~ i.e. he aspires to transcend the narrow or selfish/self-centred philosophy to the philosophy of life, to the philosophy of the greater whole - the continuum. ~ </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aamar Ei Path Chawoatei Ananda</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJAVjaKFlc"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> He does not want to be confined inside his own head (courtesy ego, arrogance, contempt, selfishness, confusion, delusion, vainglory, etc); instead, he wants to become a connected part of the greater cosmos (universal consciousness or universal mind). ~ He wants the Higher Self to pervade his entire being. He, as an individual, no longer wishes to remain disconnected from the universe around him. <span class="text">~ Instead, he aspires for inner perfection; he aspires to be completely tuned in with the Higher Self (</span>the <i>Infinite</i> 'I') <span class="text">- <i>Chandra-Tara-Rabi</i>~ </span>to dissolve in each other in a cosmic way<span class="text">.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore on progress: "You have to judge progress according to its aim. A railway train makes its progress towards the terminus station - it is a movement. But a full grown tree has no definite movement of that kind. Its progress is the inward progress of life. It lives, with its aspiration towards light tingling in its leaves and creeping in its silent sap."</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Tagore, the great polymath, became the first-ever Asian and the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (in 1913). [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ The East and West did meet.] As a thought leader, renaissance poet and playwright/dramatist/lyricist he advanced a vast canon that comprised paintings, sketches and doodles, hundreds of texts, and over two thousand songs (Rabindrasangeet - Tagore's magnificent music). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->His elegant and magical poetry is noted for their rhythmic and lyrical nature. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore's life as a peripatetic litterateur was dedicated towards cultural rapprochement; as a humanist, universalist and internationalist, his message of Asian brotherhood and internationalism was a cautionary note vis-a-vis the pitfalls or counterproductiveness or myopia of narrow, selfish, unifocal nationalism (~ especially in a kaleidoscopic nation like India + given the ancientness of our civilization). He also cautioned against the approach of negativism called lethargy, ignorance, moribund discourse, finger-pointing, inertia, and other members of that brood. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Each country of Asia will solve its own historical problems according to its strength, nature and needs, but the lamp they will each carry on their path to progress will converge to illuminate the common ray of knowledge.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->" <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Tagore disliked rote classroom schooling. He held that proper teaching does not explain things; proper teaching stokes curiosity: "[It] knock[s] at the doors of the mind. If any boy is asked to give an account of what is awakened in him by such knocking, he will probably say something silly. For what happens within is much bigger than what comes out in words. Those who pin their faith on university examinations as the test of education take no account of this." </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ He emphasized on education - knowledge and intellectual curiosity (as opposed to learning by rote). "These solidly complete Universities over which our country is brooding, are like hard boiled eggs from which you cannot expect chickens to come out." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In old age, Tagore still rose long before dawn to witness the birth of each new day, and he still wrote fluently in his own hand. He liked to make extensive corrections; he also liked his manuscripts to be elegant. His artist's eye for his handwriting were revealed in the simple artistic and rhythmic leitmotifs embellishing the scribbles, corrections, and word layouts of his manuscripts. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ His genius enriched whatever it touched.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">............................................................</span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> </span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Tagore's portrayal and celebration of a higher power embedded in the fabric of the universe and responsible for its continuing existence and operation is very fascinating, indeed. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ Tagore celebrates the Divine, the Infinite - the Anant </i>... <i>and expresses a sense of deep wonder in the universe</i>:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">'Biswabinarobe Biswajon'</span>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJm0bgJlId8"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>.</span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Maharaj, Eki Saaje</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFmIxphg6Gk"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aamar Khyala Jakhon Chhilo Tomar Shoney</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm0vwqG7vSg"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b><i>.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Saara Jiban Dilo Aalo</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTIm8uA64AQ"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aakash Bhora Surjo Tara</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLzaT4b1eqw"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mahabishwe Mahakaashe 1</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkA8GDp5Cfo"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mahabishwe Mahakaashe 2</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52KqaGc9B7U"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="kword"><span style="color: #4c1130;">'Tahare Arati Kare Chandra Tapan</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> Deva Manava</span><span style="color: #4c1130;">'</span><span style="color: #351c75;">:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXJRACZvmKU"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Jaage Nath Jochhonaraate</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3WLESZwqiA"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>.</span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore </span><span style="font-size: small;">was a genius in many fields - poetry, short stories, plays and novels, music, choreography, painting, science, education, social service and statesmanship. A renaissance poet <i>par excellence</i>... this </span><span style="font-size: small;">minstrel-bard of numerous songs was </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->simply in a rarest class by himself. A <i>Sadhaka</i> of scholarship, knowledge and the cosmic mind, he was a</span><span style="font-size: small;"> strikingly handsome figure with piercing eyes and intelligent cerebral looks, an intellectual luminary who possessed an inner charm... that emerges in his</span><span style="font-size: small;"> inspiring words and his lyrically unequaled songs. Elements of Indian classical music has been integrated in an extremely intelligent and effective manner in his magnificent songs - Rabindra-sangeet - which embodies a mesmerizing fusion of his musicianship and poetic genius. Tagore's unrivaled arena of creativity, where he produced prodigious volumes of poems, songs, dramas, </span><span style="font-size: small;">essays, novels, travelogues and short stories with seemingly endless energy - are his </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->everlasting gifts ~ the infinite treasures of his oeuvre. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Tagore's boundless curiosity also carried him into the realm of physical sciences, and his interest in scientific inquiry, his meetings and conversations with Albert Einstein (among others) are quite well known, and have now become part of the Tagore lore. He never deviated from his <i>dharma</i>, which was poetic creativity, contributing to the society, collaborative reflection and intellectual engagement - exchange of thoughts and ideas - to convey and bring forth a more substantive perception and analysis. ~ Absence of scholarly engagement, even informal ones, gives rise to redundant and moribund discourse. ~ He believed that at all times the beauty in life is to be found in all pursuits of knowledge, and knowledge or development in isolation is never complete. Hence, his emphasis on cultural, scientific and social exchange between all peoples in all places. ~ He envisioned an India imbued with the noblest of her ancient civilizational ideals: that of acceptance, exchange and the striving for human perfection through a loving and reverential appreciation of nature and identification of the infinite within the finite. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> To illustrate his theory of education, Tagore enjoyed recounting the following incident: "I well remember the surprise and annoyance of an experienced headmaster, reputed to be a successful disciplinarian, when he saw one of the boys of my school climbing a tree and choosing a fork of the branches for settling down to his studies. I had to say to him in explanation that "childhood is the only period of life when a civilized man can exercise his choice between the branches of a tree and his drawing-room chair, and should I deprive this boy of that privilege because I, as a grown up man, am barred from it?" What is surprising to notice is the same headmaster's approbation of the boys' studying botany. He believes in an impersonal knowledge of the tree because that is science, but not in a personal experience of it." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore was not narrowly national, he did not believe in intellectual regimentation either (~ "where the mind is without fear" - here, fear = intellectual regimentation, straitjacketing, cynicism, specious discourse and stagnation). He also believed in the wisdom of knowledge - 'coz knowledge in the absence of wisdom is merely mechanical regurgitation; he believed in a broader vision, a longer-term understanding of issues + dignity of labour ("and the head is held high"). His message was for the world. And yet, he remained a passionate Indian. ... He drew inspiration from the deep wells (vast repertoire) of wisdom and thought and culture. ~ He saw himself as an inheritor, representative and expositor of India's age-old heritage (civilizational values and ideals). His writings constitute the best commentary on his life. These reveal him as nothing else does. ... The universal bard is to be found in his poems. ~ Tagore's vast legacy of creativity, intellectual freedom, relentless striving towards inner perfection, harmony amongst people and harmony of people with nature, the unbounded joy of life which has discovered its own rich resources - these are a priceless gift to India, and indeed, the world.&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Many decades ago, Tagore encouraged the idea of reforestation (Vriksharopan) at a time when there was no such thing as a wave of nature conservation, climate change, Earth Hour or Earth Day. ~ On one such occasion, he celebrated nature and woodlands by planting trees during a festival he called <i>Vanamahotsava</i>(Celebration of Forests). At that time, he wrote the song '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Marubijayer Ketan Udao </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">Shunye Heye Prabal Pran</span>'<span style="color: #351c75;"> ('Raise aloft the banner of the conquest of the desert') -&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmjtzHPJ144"><i><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></i></a> - </span></span>which carried emphatically the idea of fertile soil and the connection of life itself to the soil and the bounty that it brings forth.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>.................................................................</b></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~</span> <i><span style="color: #351c75;">Chakras</span> are centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy. Chakras correspond to vital points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. The <span style="color: #351c75;">7 Chakras</span>are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. ~ <span style="color: #351c75;">Kundalini </span>is vital for all the 7 Chakras (centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy) to be fully</i> '<i>awakened</i>'<i>. ~ And <span style="color: #351c75;">this</span> happens when the latent spiritual energy lying d<span style="color: #351c75;">ormant at the base of the spine - kundalini</span> - reaches the 7<sup>th</sup>chakra - the <span style="color: #351c75;">Sahasrara</span> or crown chakra (the highest chakra). ~ This is the chakra of (symbolic) one thousand petals</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #351c75;">The symbolic crown jewel.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b> </b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->BG 10.22:<i> || </i><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana</span> || </i>~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (<span style="color: #4c1130;">manas</span>); and in living beings (bhutanam) I am the living force (<i>cit</i> or consciousness - <span style="color: #4c1130;">sentience</span>)" ~ (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><i>Chakras are centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy</i></i></span>. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>The <span style="color: #351c75;">7 Chakras</span>are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>).<br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If we can understand this, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">we will also understand what has been meant by: </span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep into the ground</i>'</span>.</span> [Literally: Karna = ears. Kundal = ear-ring; though it is probably derived from "kundalini" (<i>refer the relevant passages on Kundalini and Sahasrara or crown chakra</i>).] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> As per the narrative, Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep into the ground</i>' at a crucial time; he was, thus, unable to recollect the 'mantra' </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">for unleashing certain weaponry </span></span></span>(<span style="color: #4c1130;">~ this is indicative of cognitive dulling;&nbsp; the dulling of Karna's memory</span>). ~ Wheel = cakra or chakra, and (very likely) refers to Karna's mind chakra or Manasa Chakra, which is connected with most of the head (especially the brain), is a combination of sensing and intellect. [Maybe, only by weakening of Karna's "kundal"... could this unnatural human, ('son' of Lord Surya, a higher being, and Kunti - begotten through advanced genetic engineering) be rendered inactive; otherwise nothing else could affect him (~ as indicated by the "kavacha" - that was part of his genetic makeup.) ~ Hence, Karna could never have donated either his "kaavacha" or his "kundaal".</span></span></span>&nbsp; <br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Living force (<i>cit </i>or sentience) = cetana or consciousness = life force or vital energy; ~ <i>kundalini</i> energy... when fully awakened unites the mere Self or lower manas i.e. lower mind or individual consciousness with the Higher Self (Supersoul, <i>Atman</i> or higher manas - Universal Consciousness). ~ The jiva-atma to the Param-atma. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ... This is the state of complete wisdom (the wisdom of non-transient knowledge) - highest enlightenment (para vidya) - the state of a Buddha. ~ The convergence of the lower manas (lower mind/self, <i>jiva-atma</i> or individual consciousness) with the higher manas&nbsp; (higher mind/self, <i>atman</i> or universal consciousness) brings about sat-cit-ananda - inner joy, peace and tranquility i.e. true contentment of Self-realization or Paramatma-realization. It results in self-knowledge through self-reflection, insight, perception and internal wisdom (the wisdom of knowledge). ... Such a soul/person is <i>dhirah</i> - temperate (~ non-deluded by the transience of the material world that he or she inhabits + possesses inner detachment to sense objects - fame, glory, accolades and so on). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In other words: such a person achieves inner perfection.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">[Sat-Cit-Ananda:</span> for purposes of comprehension and clarity: the function of the mind and the heart are completely different. None can think with their heart. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>That is a colloquial phrase taken literally</i></span>.<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Cit</span> </i>is <i>not</i> a reference to the heart. <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Cit</i></span> (cetana - sentience) is a reference to the mere Self (individual consciousness). While, <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat</i></span>is a reference to the Higher Self or Universal Consciousness (Param-atma or Supersoul - the eternal aspect). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>confluence</i></span> of the <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Cit</span> </i>(mere Self or individual consciousness - sentience) with the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat</i></span> (Higher Self or universal consciousness - universal intelligence or cosmic mind) is brought about by the complete 'awakening' of the latent spiritual energy lying dormant at the base of the spine - the <span style="color: #4c1130;">kundalini energy</span>.</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">] </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">... Goddess</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> Sarasvati represents intelligence, wisdom, consciousness (the spiritual energy - <i>kundalini</i> - lying dormant at the base of the spine - but which when fully 'awakened' unites the mere Self or individual consciousness with the Higher Self or Universal Consciousness), cosmic knowledge, creativity, education (not merely text-bookish or transient knowledge - <i>apara vidya</i>), culture, enlightenment, music, the arts, eloquence (fine speech, persuasion/<span class="text"> vāk)</span> and so on. The goddess of knowledge and arts represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness (sentience).</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ If we understand the above, we can then fully comprehend Tagore's sublime 'Nirjarer Swapnabhango' ('Awakening/Rousing of the Fountain'). Fountain = spring or sarasa. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> He is celebrating the awakening of his latent spiritual energy - kundalini ~ resulting in him gaining insight and delving deeper into his internal wisdom (the wisdom of knowledge); with the gradual disappearance of illusions... clarity begins - to see the big picture, transcend egocentricity, and finding the deeper meaning inherent in all things (para vidya - non-transient&nbsp; knowledge). </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">The resultant synergy took him to the pinnacle of creativity.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~</span> <i><span style="color: #351c75;">Chakras</span> are centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy. Chakras correspond to vital points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. The <span style="color: #351c75;">7 Chakras</span>are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. ~ <span style="color: #351c75;">Kundalini </span>is vital for all the 7 Chakras (centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy) to be fully </i>'<i>awakened</i>'<i>. ~ And <span style="color: #351c75;">this</span> happens when the latent spiritual energy lying d<span style="color: #351c75;">ormant at the base of the spine - kundalini</span> - reaches the 7<sup>th</sup>chakra - the <span style="color: #351c75;">Sahasrara</span> or crown chakra (the highest chakra). ~ This is the chakra of (symbolic) one thousand petals</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span><span style="color: #351c75;">The symbolic crown jewel.</span></span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"> </span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="watch-titleyt-uix-expander-head"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">A</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">rup Tomar Bani</span>': <i><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjVlAi_QowA"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i>. (~ '<i>nityakaaler utsab taba bishwer dveepalika </i>[Omswaroop - universal consciousness]<i>, aami shudhu taarii maatir pradeep </i>(earthen lamp)<i>, jvalao tahar shikha</i>'<i> </i>(wick - symbolizing the 7th chakra - the Sahasrara or crown chakra; it essentially signifies the enlightenment of the brain cells). </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> Note how brilliantly Tagore conveys the confluence or convergence of the finite into the Infinite. His mere Self within the Higher Self... leading to his spiritual and intellectual awakening and evolution. ~ His journey towards the awareness that the finite is inseparable from or is a part of the Infinite<i> - </i>the<i> divine</i>(Param-atma or Higher Self). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In other words: self-realization. | And so, he says in 'Sheemar Majhe Ashim Tumi' - '<i>aamar modhye tomaar prakash tai ato madhur</i>'.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">~ '<i>tyemni aamar praner (individual consciousness or cetana - sentience) kendrey nishvas (universal consciousness - by the </i>'<i>awakening</i>'<i> of the latent spiritual energy - kundalini) dao purey, shunya tahar purna koriya dhanya koruk shurey</i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(to emerge as his spiritual and intellectual evolution... and manifold creativity)</span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">'<i> </i><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Tagore is asking for his individual consciousness (<i>cit</i> - sentience) to be fully awakened ~ to experience 'sat-cit-ananda'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span class="text">He </span>aspires to realize the <i>Infinite</i> 'I' (universal consciousness - Param-atma) within the <i>finite</i>'I' (individual consciousness - jiva-atma) ~ Self-realization. This happens with the confluence or convergence of the individual consciousness (the mere Self) with the universal consciousness (Atman, Higher Self or Supersoul - universal intelligence or cosmic mind).&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Sheemar Majhe Ashim Tumi</span>': <i><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv0BZvEgYJc"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></b></i>.<b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>~ '<i>Sheemar majhe </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>(within finites) </i></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>ashim tumi </i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>(You the Infinite) </i></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>bajao apon shur (play your own tune), aamar modhye tomaar prakash tai ato madhur</i>'<i> </i><span style="color: #351c75;">~ The second line is indicative of Tagore experiencing 'sat-cit-ananda' - through the confluence of his finite 'I' (mere Self or individual consciousness) with the Infinite 'I' (Higher Self, Supersoul or universal consciousness) ~ self-realization or Param-atma realization - the realization of the <i>Infinite</i>'I' within the <i>finite</i> 'I' - his journey towards&nbsp; inner perfection. Tagore <i>also</i> hints at the source of his inspiration; he credits the Goddess for his multifaceted talent and vast oeuvre.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mor Bina Othe</span>': </span><i><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY1YTXGPoss"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></span></b></i><span style="color: #a64d79;">. <span style="color: #351c75;">('<i>Mor bina othe kon suurey baaji kon naba chanchala chhandey <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Mama antara kampita aaji nikhiler hridayaspandey</i>')</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->On a separate note: the name Vivekananda - 'one who derives happiness through one's consciousness' or one who has achieved eternal bliss of self-realization (Sat-cit-ananda) - too conveys this essence and is indicative of the communion of the mere Self (individual consciousness) with the Higher Self (universal consciousness).</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Self-realization is (therefore) the pathway or route to inner perfection. <span class="ital-inline"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The process of <i>Self-realization</i> is a spiritual transition or spiritual awakening ~ wherein humans reach a higher level of existence, by moving out of his or her inferior manas (lower mind or lower self) and into the superior manas (higher mind or Higher Self). </span>~ This transition or awakening must be experienced to be understood, since it lies beyond the domain of scriptural description or academic definition (terminologies, etc). <span class="textexposedshow"></span><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow"><i>Self-realization</i></span> is the essence of Sanaatan Dharma.&nbsp;This 'way of life' is performative and is (therefore) to be experienced. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is no one path or hard-and-fast rule to self-realization. It depends on individuals. ~ </span></span><i>Thus, the central concepts of dharma and karm-yog elude translation. <b><span style="color: #660000;"></span></b></i></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The Almighty does not discriminate.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="hp">BG 10.24: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and of bodies of water I am the ocean." ~ This conveys boundlessness.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> </span></span></span><br /><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">The Rig Veda says: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Ekam Sat Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti</i> </span>|| ~ Truth is one, but the wise know/call it as many. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>In other words: God is one, but we can approach the Almighty in many ways.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">Truth/Sat/Satya = </span><span class="text">Shaashvata or Sanaatana - Eternal. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sat/Satya = the Eternal Truth</span><span class="hp">; <i>also</i>, timeless essence or true (non-transient) knowledge - enlightenment or complete wisdom - the wisdom of non-transient knowledge -<i> <span style="color: #4c1130;">para vidya</span></i>. ~ The ability to see the big picture and/or to find the deeper meaning inherent in all things. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The awareness that the finite is inseparable from or is a part of the Infinite<i> - divine</i>(Param-atma).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Tagore envisioned a parallelism - the parallelism of welding together (i.e. amalgamation) into one body various peoples (~ and <i>this</i> is reminiscent of the Universal Form - Vishwaroop or Viraat-roop - of the Primordial.)<span class="usercontent">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="usercontent">A quote from Swami Vivekananda's speech (Welcome Address - Chicago, Sept 11, 1893) ~ in response to the warm and cordial welcome he received: </span><span class="kword">"<i>As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee</i>."</span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Here is '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ketechhe Akela</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAtrf-pHOFE"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->'<i>Shhob path eshey miley gyalo shheshey tomaarii duu-khani nayone</i>...' ~ It is a reference to Rudraksha or eye of Rudra. Sanskrit: <span class="unicode">rudrākşa</span> = rudra and <span class="unicode">akşa</span> = eye. [Rudraksha and Virupaksha are non-different. Virupaksha = with oblique eyes.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Rudra-Siva is said to have healing remedies - as the best physician of physicians, and as possessor of a thousand medicines. This is described in Rudra-Siva's alternative name <i>Vaidyanatha</i> (Lord of Remedies). ~ Rudra-Siva and Dhanvantari (the Supreme Druid) are non-different. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> However, the eyes of Rudra could also be a reference to two pools (sarasa) - one at Pushkara in Rajasthan and the other - <span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span>Ketaksha - in the Salt Range. Both are associated with Rudra-Siva. ~ The Sarasvati River is an important river goddess in the Rig Veda. The Sanskrit name means, "having many pools". <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Matsya kingdom of the Mahabharata times is probably modern-day Rajasthan. Satyavati hailed from this kingdom, and is therefore referred to as Matsya-kanya. (It does not mean fisherwoman or daughter of a fisherman. Kanya = female). She later became the queen of Hastinapura. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Arjun spent the final year of his <i>vana vasa</i>(exile period) - on Krishn's advice - as Brihannala, teaching dance and music - in Virata kingdom (then ruled by the Matsya king - Virata Raj). It was in his <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">court</span></b><b> </b>that the Pandavas spent a year in concealment (ajgnata vasa) during their exile period. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The thirteenth year was the period of concealment; if discovered the Pandavas were to undergo another thirteen years of exile - as per Duryodhan's terms (following Shakuni's advice). <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Alternatively, given some of their rituals, it is also possible that the Pandavas' final year of exile - ajgnata vasa - was spent among the Kalasha people (<i>refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a></b></i></span>.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> As for the Matsya kingdom: maybe their insignia or emblem was that of a fish. Did the matsya-avatar hail from this ancient kingdom ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Incidentally, one of the only two <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> temples in the country&nbsp;is in Jaipur... quietly awaiting the coming of the final 'Preserver-Rejuvenator' - the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar.</span></span> [The other temple is in Uttar Pradesh - probably built by Rani Ahilyabai of the Holkar dynasty.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sawai Jai Singh, the founder king of Jaipur, built the temple around 1727 AD - at the time of making the city. Of scholarly inclinations, Jai Singh was a keen student of Vedic texts. He built the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>temple right opposite the eastern entrance to the city palace [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.21: || <i>jyotisam ravir amsuman</i> || ~ "of radiance I am the radiant sun"<i> (</i>ravir amsuman)], which opens into the Sireh Deori bazaar, famous for its Hawa Mahal, the palace of winds. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <i>pavanaḥ pavatām asmi </i>|| <i>~ </i>"I am the wind among the purifiers."] ~ </span>Its important location is indicative of the temple's significance for Jai Singh. <span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>However, instead of opening directly into the street, the temple was set behind the street facades of impressive structures. Only the temple top is seen rising into the sky from the street-scape. Facing the temple in one corner is a canopied kiosk, which contains a fine white marble statue of a horse. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">[Kalkiḥ, </span>also referred to as Kalkin and Kalaki, is<span class="blue"> often a metaphor for "Eternity" or "Time". (Time is Kaalah in Sanskrit.) </span>~ Another etymology (for "<span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>") from Sanskrit is 'white horse'</span></span></span>.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Constructed in stone, the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span>temple conforms to the typical style of the North Indian Temple Architecture. However, there is one architectural feature in the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> temple that is unique. It is the presence of two shikhars or temple tops instead of the usual one. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[BG 10.23:<i> </i>|| <i>meruh sikharinam aham</i> || ~ "and of mountains I am Meru."] ~ But the temple itself is closed. In fact, it has been closed ever since it was built. (Though it is periodically opened for cleaning purposes). Otherwise, the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ</span> temple has a deserted look. No devotees. No prayers. No temple bells. ~ Maybe, this is so since the final 'Preserver-Rejuvenator' is stated to be a 'Sampoorna Avatar' ~ a total, complete, all-encompassing manifestation (maha-avatar). And so, cannot be associated exclusively with any faith, nor will </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">the <span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar</span></span></span></span> be the passive preceptor of any new faith. [~ '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Tomaar Aason Pathbo Kothaay</span>' (composed in Mishra Basant Bahar): <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vRrGSTOQuM"><i><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></i></a></span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Bhengechho Duaar Eshechho Jyotirmay</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy_MExaePT4"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>link</i></span></b></span></a> (~ bhengechho duaar/the tearing down of metaphoric doors = the dispelling of inertia, slothfulness, apathy, illusion, confusion, hackneyed and stale aspects, and so on). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> And, possibly: '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Tomaar Aason Shunya Aaji</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdD615-NRls"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><b>link</b></i></span></span></a>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aaloker Ei Jharna Dharaaye Dhuiye Dao</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOP1-hV9VhM"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><b>link</b></i></span></span></a>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Oi Mahamanob Aashhe</span>' (Cometh the great one): <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OuLubAGYgE"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a></span>.]</span></span></span><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span><i>Instead of opening directly into the street, the temple was set behind the street facades of impressive structures. Only the temple top is seen rising into the sky from the street-scape</i>. ~ <span class="text">BG 9.11: || </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>avajānanti māḿ mūḍhā mānuṣīḿ tanum āśritam paraḿ bhāvam ajānanto&nbsp;mama bhūta-maheśvaram</i></span> || ~ "The ignorant deride Me since my form/appearance is human-like (i.e. since I appear to be like any other human). They do not know (are unaware of) My transcendental nature </span>and My <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">supreme</span></b><b></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">dominion</span></b> over all that be (~ <span class="text">as the Supreme Lord [maheśvaram] of all that be)." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <i>avajānanti māḿ mūḍhā</i> (The ignorant deride Me since my form/appearance is human-like, i.e. since I appear to be like any other human): Is this an indication that he puts on a veneer? ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The location of this </span><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ temple is very significant. Since </span>Ketaksha or Katas Raj - also believed to have been Ayudhya - is nearby. ~ <span class="text">BG 10.31: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">pavanaḥ pavatām asmi rāmaḥ śastra-bhṛtām aham</span> </i>|| <i>~ </i>"I am the wind among the purifiers, and Sri Ram among the warriors" ~ i.e. warrior against moribund aspects, retrogressive mindset, worldview, and so on.</span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ The rare blue lotus is termed <i>pushkara</i>. It is also known as <i>krishna kamal</i> - signifying the 'perfection of wisdom' - wisdom of knowledge (brought about by the complete 'awakening' of the kundalini energy - <i>refer</i> <i>the relevant passages on kundalini</i>). [Blue Lotus signifies wisdom and knowledge, and stands for the victory over the senses. It defines a person's control over his or her mind and consciousness, to let go of materialistic aspirations in life and rise to a selfless soul. The blue lotus flower is not fully open, the bud is closed towards the centre, which is never revealed. This state of the flower (the partially-opened bud) is indicative that one should not stop attaining knowledge and wisdom in life. ~ It is associated with the <i>Bodhisattva</i> of wisdom, known as <i>Manjushri </i>(Buddha Manjushri - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">the Wisdom Buddha - the embodiment of the omniscient wisdom of all enlightened beings), and <i>Prajnaparamita</i>, the one who signifies the 'perfection of wisdom'. ~ The <i>Buddha</i> (Buddha Shakyamuni) is shown seated on a pale-red lotus. A full-bloomed pale-red lotus signifies enlightenment or the stage where <i>nirvana</i> is attained.] ~ Many say: there is no blue lotus, no such flower exists or ever has; that it is a botanical chimera. ~ However, it could be that the blue lotus is an allegory or imagery - a <i>symbolic</i> reference to the Cosmic Entity (the Almighty) and/or the Krishna-avatar (the only <i>Purna Avatar</i> - one in whom divinity is manifested fully, since he possessed all 16 divine attributes). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In other words: the rare blue lotus could be indicative of the unicorn (symbolizing rarity). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The Indus Unicorn Seals depict a one-horned horse. [One-horned = ekashringa. Even Sri Ganesh is depicted with a single tusk.] It is <i>imagery</i> - to denote rarity or uniqueness. The Cosmic Entity is <i>vishama </i>(unequaled); <i>atulah</i>(incomparable); <i>ekah</i> (the one); <i>naikah</i> (the many); <i>ekaatmaa</i>(the one self); <i>asankhyeyah</i> (with countless names and forms); <i>shoorah-veerah</i>(the valiant); <i>vikramee</i> (the most daring); <i>saattvikah</i> (one who is full of <i>sattvic</i> or noble traits and qualities); <i>kartaa</i> (the doer); <i>maargah</i> (the path); <i>neyah</i> (the guide); <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>Vishvaatma </i>(Soul of the Universe - guiding spirit);&nbsp;<i>aadidevah</i> (the first devah; aadi = foremost, primal); <i>mahaadevah</i> (the great devah); <i>deveshah</i> (the Lord of all devas) and <i>adhaataa</i> (above whom there is no other).] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>However, a closer look at the unicorn seals reveals a body reminiscent of a horse as well as that of a cow. So, the unicorn could be denoting Goddess Sarasvati - Varadey Kaamarupinee or kamadhenu (the fulfiller of wishes, Destiny or 'Lady Luck'). [~ The <i>saguna</i>, manifested Trimurti of 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' is non-different.] ~ Rivers and cows are often poetically correlated in the Rig Veda. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Goddess Sarasvati (Varadey Kaamarupinee), Sri Krishn and Sri Ganesh (Vignesh or Vighna-vinashak - the remover of obstacles or impediments in the path of good/positive deeds) are non-different.<span style="color: #0c343d;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span><i>Ketaksha</i> means, "raining eyes" (aksha = eye). ~ Perhaps it was originally meant as: spring (sarasa) of the raining eyes. ~ However, with the passage of time and changing phonetics, Ketaksha probably became <i>Katas</i>. ~ The ancient Katas Raj temple complex is believed to date back to the Mahabharata era. [Mahabharata = the Great history of the Bharatas. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> For Bharatas </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>- refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a>.</b></i></span></span></span></span>] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> It is also associated with the 'Shiv-Sati' story ~ large parts of which (very likely) describes some cosmic event. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The name "Sati" probably is derived from Sat or Satya; possibly a feminine version of Sat or Satya. ~ However, 'Shiva wandering about in the cosmos with Sati's lifeless body on his shoulders' - is very likely a description (in the style of story-telling) of some cosmic event. ... Maybe, pieces of meteors and/or other celestial debris rained down on earth - which (gradually) resulted in the many "Shakti Peeths", as well as pools (sarasa-s or sarovaras). ~ Later translators probably took the allegorical cosmic events in the literal sense. And with the passage of time, the story of Parvati too converged with the narrative. ~ Rudra-Siva is Goddess Parvati herself - simultaneously (as indicated by the syncretic form of Rudra-Shakti). The manifested, <i>saguna</i> Trimurti of 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' are non-different. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>Goddess Parvati's consort (namesake Shiva) is very likely the Shiva of the <i>Bhasmasura</i>story (<i>refer</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b><a href="http://notapennyformythoughts.blogspot.in/2013/12/notes-on-sri-krishn-mahabharata-indus.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">link1</span></a></b></i></span>.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> (Though, perhaps, a few of the "Shakti Peeths" are in honour of some or the other great woman. Or [maybe] both; i.e. celestial debris + a great human).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> Daksha Prajapati's yagna and Sati's 'agni-pariksha': "Prajapati" is a 'title' indicative of a leader, king or chieftain. ~ Therefore, Sati's father - Daksha - was an influential personage. ~ Daksha Prajapati's yagna and Sati's 'agni-pariksha' = Daksha initiated some activity or process (karm-yagna) which turned out to be (his daughter) Dakshayani Sati's 'test by fire' instead, more than his own. Thus, Sati was vulcanized via the most trying of circumstances; it is indicative of her unmatched tenacity and resilience. [~ In '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aamar Mukti Aloye Aloye</span>' (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET9d1PnUBc0"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></span></a>), Tagore says: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->'<i>Aamar mukti sharbajoner moner majhe dukkha-bipad tuchha kora kothhin kaaje</i>' <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>My salvation is in the universal mind (sharbajoner moner majhe - in their collective consciousness), a</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>nd in my exertions belittling/defying all sorrows/disappointments and perils (dukkha bipad tucchha kora), in tasks difficult (kothhin kaaje)</i>. ~ Tagore, a humanist, is referring to karm yog, nishkam (selfless) karm yog. To him, this world is the karm-bhoomi (euphemistically yagna-shala) of the World's Master. ... And, he aspires to become a karm-yogi ~ to turn his life and efforts (exertions and creativity) as an offering. Therein lay his salvation. ~ For Swami Vivekananda, service to humanity was the path to self-realization and salvation.] ~ It is possible though that Daksha had a dim view of his somewhat rustic son-in-law named Shiva... and considered him unworthy of his accomplished daughter. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Dakshayani means: daughter of Daksha. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The name "Sati" probably is derived from Sat or Satya; possibly a feminine version of Sat or Satya. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sati and Parvati (popularly known as goddess Durga) is non-different. ~ And both are Rudra-Siva.</span>]</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Another version of this legend involves the death of Shiva's horse Katas (Ketaksha?) ... Ketaksha or Katas is also believed to have been Ayudhya. [~ Ayudhya<span class="textexposedshow"> probably became Ayodhya due to changing phonetics.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>Ayudhya = invincible, unconquerable or eternal. "Ayudhya" comes from the root word "yudh" meaning "not to be fought". <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> There is an Ayutha and Dvaravati in Thailand too. ~ A</span>ncient Ayutha or Ayutthaya - the former capital of Thailand - apparently rose from the earlier, nearby kingdoms of Lavo and Suphannaphoom (Suvarnabhumi). The seaport city of Ayothaya<i> </i>is <i>Ayothaya Si Raam Thep Nakhon </i>- the Angelic City of Sri Rama. ~ The new city was known as Ayothaya, or <i>Krung Thep Dvaravadi Si Ayothaya</i>. Later it became widely known as <i>Ayutthaya</i>, the Invincible City. ~ It is believed that this city is associated with the Thai national epic Ramakien, which is a southeastern version of the Ramayana ('The Exertions of Sri Ram'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Dvaravati was part of the Mon kingdom - </span><span style="color: #351c75;">and refers to both a culture and a conglomerate of ancient city-states or principalities in the lower plain (riverine region) of the Chao Phraya river. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The term Dvaravati derives from coins which were inscribed in Sanskrit with <i>śrī dvāravatī</i>. The Sanskrit word <i>dvāravatī</i> means "she with many gates" (from <i>dvar</i> "door gate"). Its name is probably derived from the city of Dvāraka (Dvaraka) in ancient India.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;">The seven greatest capital cities of the Rama Empire/civilization were known in classical texts as 'The Seven Rishi Cities'. Rishi (Sanskrit: ṛṣI) signifies enlightenment, wisdom and knowledge; it was also an honorific for highly learned and knowledgeable persons. ... Maybe, these Seven Rishi Cities were knowledge hubs or thinking hub. Priest-Kings (meaning: "Great Teachers" or "Masters") who governed the cities were essentially Brahmana statesmen. [Brahmana implies the light of wisdom or the wisdom of knowledge; Brahmana can also be interpreted as sensible and enlightened persons with a broader worldview or outlook.] Some of them belonged to the benevolent aristocracy of the Rama civilization. Today they are generally called "Priest-Kings". They were apparently persons whose mental powers/intellect were of a degree that would seem incredible to most moderns. (Even Chanakya can be called a Brahmana statesman.)</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Some legends also state that the very first "Shiva Ling" was in Katas. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Shiva Ling is very likely the depiction of the Brhmaanda or Brahmaanda (the "Cosmic Egg"; Brh = to grow or to expand; aanda = egg) and "Garbhodaka Ocean" that lies at the bottom of the universe. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> How and when the word "ling" came to be associated with "phallus" ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ There is a vast 'ocean' (the 'ocean of Garbha') present at the bottom of our universe (Brhmaanda or Brahmaand - the "Cosmic Egg"). This 'ocean' is very likely a combination of cosmic dust, energy and gas, even gas hydrates formed under conditions of high pressures and low temperatures, and so on... and maybe, even a great amount of suction force. Its appearance is in the form of 'concentric circles or bands' ~ though none of it is visible to the unaided eye. During "Prakritik Maha Pralaya" ~ (i.e. when Material Universe or Manifested Cosmos is completely dissolved - signifying the cosmic phenomenon of "dissolution") - Material Universe or Manifested Cosmos 'dissolves' into this 'ocean of Garbha'. ~ Our ancients visualized this 'ocean of Garbha' as the endless serpent 'Adi-Sesha' or 'Ananta-Sesha'. [Ananta = infinity, endless, eternal. Sesha = zero, shunya.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>"Prakritik Maha Pralaya" (the cosmic phenomenon of "dissolution") occurs when 'Ananta' becomes 'Sesha', infinity becomes zero and Yog-maya (the ever changing and evolving [mayamayi or transient] Material Universe or Manifested Cosmos) becomes Yog-nidra (the big sleep). Therefore, in a manner of speaking, it is said that when Adishesa 'uncoils', time (kaal, kaalah) moves forward and creation takes place. When Adisesha/ Śeṣanāga 'coils back', the universe ceases to exist. ("Shesha" in Sanskrit texts, especially those relating to mathematical calculation, also implies the "remainder" - <i>that which remains when all else ceases to exist</i>.)</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ So, very likely, what is today known as the "Shiv Ling" was actually a depiction of this above phenomenon ~ the "Cosmic Egg" (Brhmaanda or Brahmaanda) and "Garbhodaka Ocean" that lies at the bottom of the Brahmaand. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> If we can understand this, we will also understand what the concept of "Hiranyagarbha" means. (~ Maybe the Gupta emperors too installed the "Shiv Ling" - to depict the cosmic phenomenon of "creation" and "dissolution".) ... However, with the passage of time - possibly after the decline of the Gupta era - due to various interpolations, extrapolations, mistranslations and so on, other connotations have come about. Just like <i>Purusha</i>actually means: Cosmic Energy or Primal Creative Energy, although now it has come to mean: a male. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> We can only marvel at the ancients' immense knowledge and vaulting imagination. They could - so effortlessly - simplify complex science to such an extent ~ that even a child could easily grasp it. Amazing, indeed!</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Vadavagni is a form of Agni (fire) - depicted as a mare that breathes fire. It is believed that it is the escape of this 'fire' (Vadavagni) from under the 'ocean' (very likely the 'ocean of Garbha'), which will finally consume the current cycle of creation and prepare the universe (Brhmaanda or Brahmaanda - the "Cosmic Egg") for the next cycle of creation. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Vadavagni is (believed to be) located beneath the 'ocean' (possibly the 'ocean of Garbha') and is allegorically depicted with the face of a mare. Apparently, mists and clouds are formed due to the activity of Vadavagni (below the 'ocean' - the 'ocean of Garbha'). This also prevents the 'ocean' from consuming the Material Universe or Manifested Cosmos. ~ This probably means: Vadavagni (allegory for a tremendous force/energy and/or some kind of Cosmic Fire?) causes the (metaphoric) 'ocean water' to 'evaporate' and turn into 'mist' ~ thus preventing the 'ocean' from ever overflowing on to the Material Universe or Manifested Cosmos. ~ It is said that just before 'Prakritik Maha Pralaya' (cataclysmic events - Nataraj - the symbolic dance of "dissolution" - heralding the cosmic phenomenon of "dissolution"), Vadavagni will stop doing this, causing the 'ocean' to expand and submerge the Universe or Manifested Cosmos. ~ At this time, Vadavagni will burst forth as (in the form of) 'volcanoes' from under the 'ocean' and escape (~ i.e. the cosmic fire of dissolution will [gradually] consume the whole of Material Nature or Manifested Cosmos).</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 11.32: śrī-bhagavān uvāca (The Blessed Lord said): || <i>kālo 'smi loka-kṣaya-kṛt pravṛddho </i>|| ~ "Now I am Time (kālo 'smi), the destroyer of all." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Alternatively: "Time I am, the shatterer of worlds." ~ He is referring to the cosmic phenomenon of "dissolution".</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Note</u>:</span> The first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945, in the Trinity test in New Mexico. Oppenheimer, often called the "father of the atomic bomb", remarked later that it brought to (his) mind words from the Bhagavad-Gita. He interpreted it as: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." ~ <i>We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent. ... I suppose we all thought that one way or another</i>.]</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Thus, BG 10.33: || </span><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">aham evākṣayaḥ kālo</span></i><span style="color: #351c75;"> || ~ "I am also inexhaustible time."<span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">And, BG 10.34: || </span><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatā</span></i><span style="color: #0c343d;">m</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> || ~ "I am all-consuming time, and I am the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be." (~ Alternatively: "I am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all that shall come into being.")</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">[<u>Note</u>: The above verses could be a reference to the final 'Preserver-Rejuvenator' - the </span><span class="text"><span class="blue"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar or </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span class="blue"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span class="blue"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ Maitreya</span></span></span></span>. ~ Unlike the Krishn-avatar - a 'Purna-Avatar'</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> (~ one in whom divinity is manifested fully, indicative of all 16 divine attributes), the final 'Preserver-Rejuvenator' is addressed as 'Jagat-patih' - Sovereign/Monarch of the Cosmos or Lord of Creation. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ, </span>also referred to as Kalkin and Kalaki, is<span class="blue"> often a metaphor for "Eternity" or "Time". (Time is Kaalah in Sanskrit.) ~ [Kaliyug is the shortest of all eras/yugs. The later part, or the end of Kaliyug, is termed as the <i>ghor kaliyug phase</i> - the metaphoric 'Iron Age' of stagnation, ignorance and decay.] ~ This maha-avatar will "close" Kaliyug, set the stage for the next 'Maha-Yug' to manifest... and will also be the avatar of the next 'Maha-Yug' - which will commence with the advent of a whole new era/yug - the next Sat Yug or Satya Yug (~ the metaphoric "Golden Age" of progress, positivity, fresh thinking, prosperity, vigour, rejuvenation, etc). ... There will be no further individual avatars after the coming of the final 'Preserver-Rejuvenator'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <i>Avatar</i> comes from the Sanskrit 'Avatirna'. Avatar = manifestation.</span></span>]</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">BG 10.33: || <i>akṣarāṇām a-kāro 'smi</i> || <span style="color: #351c75;">~ "Of letters I am the letter 'A'."</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is also referring to the latent spiritual energy lying dormant at the base of the spine - <span style="color: #351c75;">the</span> kundalini energy<span style="color: #351c75;">.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ The sound 'A' is the foremost of the sounds. All the alphabets begin with the letter 'A', thus is number 1. Before number one it can only be zero (shunya). ~ Zero (shunya) is the potential Creation, the <i>Cosmic Egg</i>, which would manifest in due course of time, and Fire (Cosmic Fire/Light Divine/Divine Effulgence or the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Brahm-jyotih' / 'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy) is the basis for such manifestation. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> All the planes of existence are the result of the work of <i>Agni</i> (Cosmic Light or Light Divine - the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM). Agni transforms; transforms that which is subtle to gross and also transforms the gross to subtle. In the beginning it is from subtle to gross and later from gross to subtle. The evolution and involution is the work of Agni. ~ The whole creation-related work commences from Agni, and Agni is the one who emerges from the unfamiliar to the known as the Cosmic Bang - indicative of the commencement of the cosmic phenomenon of "Creation". ~ Thus, it is probably said: Brahma emerged from the Cosmic Egg due to the Cosmic Bang. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The dynamism in us is also Fire. <span style="color: #4c1130;">~ The Kundalini 'Fire' causes enlightenment of the brain cells. </span>But enflaming the Kundalini 'Fire' requires service to the fellow beings, to the society (steadfast, selfless/nishkam service or action... that contributes towards a better society.) One has to dedicate oneself to nishkam karm - without which the Kundalini 'Fire' is not ignited. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b>Agni: exists as Cosmic Fire, Solar Fire and as Frictional Fire. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">In the sacrum bone (a large, triangular bone) at the base of the spine there exists a subtle and dormant coil of spiritual energy known as the <i>kundalini.</i></span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Kundalini Fire is Frictional Fire, when it is below the diaphragm. When it is above the diaphragm, it is already Solar Fire, and when it reaches the brain, it is Electric Fire (brilliant white). <span style="color: #4c1130;">As one progresses regularly (in nishkam karm), the brilliance of the 'Golden disc' (Solar Fire) grows. Just as the morning Sun who is Golden in colour grows to brilliant white, the 'Golden disc/chakra' visualized at the eyebrow centre (ajna chakra - the 6<sup>th</sup> chakra) rises to Ajnea center/chakra and shines forth like a diamond disc/chakra. ... This is the final state of the Kundalini 'Fire'. ~ When this 'chakra' opens, it is deemed as the opening of the (symbolic) Third Eye.</span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The sixth chakra, the third eye chakra</span>,&nbsp;is located in the center of the forehead&nbsp;above the eyebrows. The orientation is self-reflection and the&nbsp;main function is seeing, cognizance and accurate interpretation. In this chakra, an individual aims to open his or her internal wisdom and see at a deeper, more&nbsp;<i>perceptive</i> level. One can do this though the <i>third eye center</i>which is located between the eyes and is the organ for&nbsp;<i>inner perception.</i><i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></i> Opening the third eye allows an individual to see the big picture, transcend egocentricity, and find the deeper meaning inherent in all things (para vidya). As inner sight develops, illusions disappear, clarity begins, and consciousness (cit) extends yet another step beyond what was available through the lower five chakras alone. As an individual makes his or her way up from the root chakra and out the crown of the head (<span style="color: #4c1130;">sahasrara</span>), he or she is gaining insight and delving deeper into his or her internal wisdom. And so, a person's actions become not only significant and purposeful, but also thoughtful. This road to thoughtful action is cognizance and accurate interpretation, <i>insight</i> - it guides an individual towards responding and acting appropriately (~ the path of "dharma" and "nishkam karm-yog").&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~</span> <i><span style="color: #351c75;">Chakras</span> are centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy. Chakras correspond to vital points in the physical body i.e. major plexuses of arteries, veins and nerves. The <span style="color: #351c75;">7 Chakras</span>are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. ~ <span style="color: #351c75;">Kundalini </span>is vital for all the 7 Chakras (centers of Prāṇa, life-force, or vital energy) to be fully</i> '<i>awakened</i>'<i>. ~ And <span style="color: #351c75;">this</span> happens when the latent spiritual energy lying d<span style="color: #351c75;">ormant at the base of the spine - kundalini</span> - reaches the 7<sup>th</sup>chakra - the <span style="color: #351c75;">Sahasrara</span> or crown chakra (the highest chakra). ~ This is the chakra of (symbolic) one thousand petals</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #351c75;">The symbolic crown jewel.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">............................................................</span></span></span></span></b></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The <span style="color: #4c1130;">Gayatri Mantra</span>, also known as <span style="color: #4c1130;">Savitr Mantra</span>, is the greatest mantra (spiritual experience or self-reflection - to connect with the Higher Self (universal consciousness); <i>not</i> ritualistic or mechanical chant).<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> A 24-syllable hymn from the Rig Veda, it is one of the most auspicious and oldest of mantras. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The auspicious Gayatri Mantra is considered one of the most universal mantra, invoking the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), <i>unmanifested </i>(avyaktah, nirakaar - without form) Absolute OM/Brahmn (~ Cosmic Light, Light Divine or Divine Effulgence - the impersonal Brahm-jyotih or 'Aadi Shakti') as the principle of knowledge and the illumination of the primordial sun.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This auspicious mantra also invokes the <i>saguna, vyaktah, sakaar</i> (manifested + with qualities) 'Brahm-putri' - the Almighty. [Putri = manifestation, embodiment, personification.]</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ BG 10.35: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">gāyatrī chandasām aham</span> ||</i> ~ "I am Gayatri mantra among the Vedic mantras."</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Primordial Sun = Impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), unmanifested (<i>niraakar, avyaktah</i> - without form) Absolute OM or Absolute Brahmn.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Savitr = the Sun-god (Surya-dev) - the majestic effulgent Sun-god (Sūrya, Aaditya). ~ In other words: Pratyaksh-Brahmn.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pratyaksh = embodiment. </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Pratyaksh-Brahmn: since the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM (Brahmn) is Cosmic Light or Light Divine - Divine Effulgence - it cannot be seen with mortal eyes. | And so, the Sun-god or Surya-dev is considered to be its <i>embodiment</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In other words: <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>through</i></span> the majestic, effulgent Sun-god (Surya-dev) we can (in a manner of speaking) 'see' the otherwise impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities) and <i>unmanifested</i>(avyaktah, narakaar - without form) Absolute Brahmn ~ Cosmic Light, Light Divine or Divine Effulgence - <i>Brahm-jyotih</i>or 'Aadi Shakti' - Primal Creative Energy.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ Thus, the majestic Sun-god <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>symbolizes</i></span> the one self-effulgent impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM or Absolute Brahmn (~ Cosmic Light, Light Divine, Divine Effulgence - <i>Brahm-jyotih</i> or 'Aadi Shakti'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Sun-god <i>also</i> stands for an embodiment of knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light, wisdom, intellectual illumination, culture, creativity, and so on.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">BG 15.12: || </span></b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">yadaadityagatam tejo jagad bhaasayate'khilam yacchandramasi&nbsp; yacchaagnau tattejo viddhi maamakam</span></i></b></span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span>|| </span><i>~ </i></b><i><span style="font-style: normal;">"That&nbsp; light which, residing in the sun, illumines the whole world, that which is in the moon and in the fire - know that light as Mine."</span></i></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->"You shine, all living things emerge. You disappear, they go to rest. Recognizing our innocence, O golden-haired Sun, arise; let each day be better than the last." ~&nbsp; the Rig Veda.</span></i></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ Technically speaking, what promotes life is the energy of the sun. The rays from the sun not only support life, but the rays of the sun are indeed the source of life itself. It enhances the efficacy of the life principles, including one's body, mind and soul. ~ When one prays to or meditates upon the sun, one is <i>also</i> visualizing the sun's rays streaming forth into one's body, mind and soul... guiding him or her through the path of illumination (sūrya-dvāreṇa).</span></i></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The Gayatri Mantra: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">AUM Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat</span> </i>||</span></i></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Pronounced</u>:</span> || OHM BUR BOO-VAH SVA-HA TAHT SAH-VEE-TOOR VAHR-EHN-YUM BHAHR-GO DEH-VAHS-YAH DEE-MAH-HEE DEE-YOH YOHN-AH PRAH-CHOD-DAH-YAHT ||</span></i></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Meaning</u>:</span> AUM. Let the light of Savitri (the goddess of dawn and embodiment of the sun - </span></i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">the path of illumination (sūrya-dvāreṇa) =</span></i></span> Universal Consciousness or Higher Self) enter into My Spirit and illumine My mind and enrich My Spirit (individual consciousness or mere Self).</span></i></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">This, in a nutshell, explains 'Self-realization' or Paramatma-realization</span>~ the realization of the <i>Infinite</i> 'I' within the <i>finite</i> 'I' ~ the confluence or convergence of the individual consciousness (mere Self or jiva-atma) with the Universal Consciousness (Higher Self or Supersoul/Atman - the Param-atma) ~ leading to an individual's spiritual and intellectual awakening and evolution - one's progress as a human being. <span style="color: #4c1130;">~ In other words: the journey towards&nbsp;inner perfection and Supreme Enlightenment.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore expressed it as: '<i>aamar modhye tomaar prakash tai ato madhur</i></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">'</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>. </i></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">['<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aanandamayi Chaitanyamayi</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghQP8mxYywY"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><b>link</b></i></span></a>.]</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ BG 10.35: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>gāyatrī chandasām aham</i></span><i> ||</i> ~ "I am Gayatri mantra among the Vedic mantras."</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">This is because Goddess Sarasvati is the manifestation of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM or Absolute Brahmn.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->She, as the manifested OM/Brahmn ~ Para Brahmn - the Almighty (~ Cosmic Entity - Mahat or Ishvari) is thus, Brahma-putri. ['Putri' = manifestation, embodiment or personification.] ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">She is the Absolute Truth (Sat/Satya) - the eternal divine person/entity.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is the <i>deity</i> (manifestation, personification or embodiment) of Gayatri (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>refer the above passages</i></span>); the fountain of fine arts and science. She is also <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Savitri</i> - the goddess of dawn</span> - who dispels the fog of ignorance and confusion... and lights the <i>diya</i> or lamp of Eternal Knowledge (non-transient knowledge) - i.e. the wisdom of knowledge or the light of wisdom - enlightenment - <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>para vidya</i></span> ~ </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->the ability to see the big picture, transcend egocentricity, and find the deeper meaning inherent in all things. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">['<span style="color: #4c1130;">Mere Mann Ke...&nbsp;Var de Var de'</span>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47PthgCd_eM"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>.] </span>~ This happens as inner sight develops; then illusions disappear, clarity begins, and consciousness (individual consciousness/sentience - the mere Self) extends yet another step beyond what was available through the lower five chakras alone. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Rajanikanta Sen's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Tumi Nirmala Karo</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGoq6cLXL70"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a></i></b>.</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->] ~ As one makes his or her way up from the root chakra and out the crown of the head, he or she is gaining insight and delving deeper into his or her internal wisdom. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Then actions become not only significant and purposeful, but also thoughtful. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->This road to thoughtful action, is <i>insight</i> </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->(seeing the larger picture): which guides an individual towards responding and acting appropriately. It also </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->adds meaning and depth to his or her lives. [The Sanskrit word <i>sara</i>means essence and <i>sva</i> means self. Thus, <i>Sarasvati</i> denotes the essence of the self. ~ Possibly indicative of Atman - the Higher Self.]</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Goddess Sarasvati is intrinsically associated with flowing water in her role as a goddess of knowledge (not merely text-bookish or transient knowledge - <i>apara vidya</i>) - hence she holds a lotus - the symbol of true (non-transient) or eternal knowledge - <i>para vidya.</i> [Maybe the lotus symbolizes the Sahasrara - <i>refer relevant passages</i>.] ~ Goddess Sarasvati is wisdom personified. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In the Rig Ved, SarasvatI is a river as well as its personification as a goddess. [Veda = The Book of Knowledge/The Book of Enlightenment. Veda (meaning wisdom, knowledge) comes from the root "vid" - to know. Veda has in turn given rise to "Vidya", which also means: knowledge.]</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Goddess Sarasvati is depicted as extremely fair-complexioned and clad in <span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>pristine white attire. ~ This could be indicative of the highly revered Puṇḍarīka (<span class="med1">Pundarika) or Pankaja/Svetakamala/DhavalaH kamala or Shubhra Kamala - "pure white lotus". [Dhavala is </span><span class="med1"><span class="med1">pronounced as DA wahl.] </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Pure white symbolizes pristine - purity of mind (supreme or highest enlightenment or the stage where <i>nirvana</i> is attained), calmness, serenity and spiritual perfection + embodiment of true (non-transient) eternal knowledge (Para Vidya). It also signifies tranquility. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Pure white lotus could also be a reference to the final state of kundalini energy - when it reaches the Sahasrara - the 7th chakra or crown chakra - the highest chakra, signifying t</span>he light of wisdom = <i>Surya-Kotti Samaprabha</i>; as radiant as a million Suns.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>White <span class="highlight_yellow">reflects all the colours of the visible light spectrum to the eyes. </span>The sum of all the colours of light add up to white. Thus, white is the blending of all colours. [White light is made up primarily of red, blue and green.] ~ </span><span style="font-size: small;">Light appears colorless or white. Sunlight is white light that is composed of all the colours of the spectrum. A rainbow is proof. We can't see the colours of sunlight except when atmospheric conditions bend the light rays and create a rainbow. One can also use a prism to demonstrate this. Thus, white is a combination of all colours, i.e. </span><span style="font-size: small;">white reflects all colours. </span><span style="font-size: small;">White objects, tend to reflect all types of light equally well, and tend to reflect most of the light falling on it. ~ </span><span style="font-size: small;">An object we call 'white' reflects all wavelengths of visible light and therefore could be considered all-coloured. </span><span style="font-size: small;">White light contains light of all frequencies. In that sense, white is a combination of all colours. [~ Rainbow is called Meghdhanush, Ramdhanu or Indra-dhanuSha in Sanskrit. It symbolizes hope. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Indra-dhanuSha = bow of Lord Indra, king of the gods (Devas - Higher Beings). The Almighty is Mahendra - Lord of Indra.]</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Sarasvati Mantra, 'Pranam mantra' or Sanskrit prayer: </span>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>OM Sarasvati Mahabhagey, Vidye Kamalalochaney </i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><i>|</i></b><i> Viswarupey Vishalakshi, Vidyam Dehi Namohastutey || Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, Kuchayuga Shobhita, Mukta Haarey | Veena Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bhagavati Bharati, Devi Namohastutey</i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"> || ~ O, the great Goddess Sarasvati, the lotus-eyed personified knowledge... O, large-eyed Goddess, taking the form of the whole universe (~ large-eyed in the Vishwaroop or Viraat-roop - the Universal Form, or [maybe] the Primal Form), thou shower us with all the powers and glories of all knowledge that exist. </span><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"> Salutations to the Goddess who is wisdom personified, who is the Goddess of knowledge and arts, whose essence is all-pervading; who is serene and adorned in radiant white attire (embellished with white flowers and white pearls); who is bearer of the musical instrument (veena) and a book (pustak); O wise and benevolent Goddess Sarasvati (Bharati - the Goddess of fine speech/persuasive powers/ vāk&nbsp;or&nbsp;vāc), we pay our respectful obeisance unto you. May you bless and guide us.</span><span style="color: #351c75;">&nbsp;</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">'</span>Sarasvati Vandana Mantra<span style="color: #351c75;">'</span></span> (for guidance and the wisdom of knowledge, or the light of wisdom: <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tVppu4JJ60"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i>) </span><span style="color: #351c75;">||</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> "<span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>May Goddess Sarasvati, who is fair like the jasmine-coloured moon, and whose pure white garland shines like (i.e is as bright as) frosted dew drops [dew is the purest form of water]; who is adorned in radiant white attire, on whose beautiful arm rests the veena, and whose throne is a pure white lotus blooming in a wide stretch of water (neluhini); who is surrounded and respected by the Gods, bless us. May the goddess fully remove our lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance.</i></span>" || </span><span style="color: #351c75;">~ It is believed that Goddess Sarasvati endows humans with the powers of fine speech/<span class="text">vāk</span> (persuasive powers) and the wisdom of knowledge (~ the ability to discriminate between the enduring or the essentials and evanescent/trivial or between positive and negative aspects - like the swan). </span><span style="color: #351c75;">Her symbolic four hands represent four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and self. She plays the music of compassion, wisdom, assimilation, universal love and life on a string instrument called the veena. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The goddess is not associated with transient or trivial aspects - thus the imagery of a swan.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="med1">T</span>he light of wisdom = <i>Surya-Kotti Samaprabha</i>; as radiant as a million Suns. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>&nbsp; </span>Shri Ganesh represents <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>a set of qualities</i></span>: great retention power or vast intelligence (as symbolized by the elephant head - implying elephant's memory). The elephant-head: represents calm disposition, intelligence, perceptiveness, knowledge and wisdom as well as the wisdom of knowledge. [The light of wisdom = <i>Surya-Kotti Samaprabha</i>; as radiant as a million Suns.]<b><span style="color: #660000;"> |</span></b> The big head = think big.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ Talent, steadfast effort or endeavour (towards a positive deed, such as: contributing to the society) aught to be nurtured, appreciated and acknowledged. These make the world a better place. ~ It is also important to develop a broader vision or to take a holistic view... so as to not miss out on the enduring or essential aspects. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="text">~ However, if the mind is focused on the ephemeral, then the mind lacks the mental maturity and intellectual discrimination (of the swan) to distinguish between the positive and negative aspects as well as between the eternal (enduring or essential) and the evanescent (unimportant, superficial or trivial). </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text">Being enthralled in superficial nitpicking and/or mixing up two entities that are not similar or are completely different = inability to understand the bigger picture. ~ This in turn reflects on society and civilization (i.e. on societal or civilizational values and ideals). ~ Excessive focus on unimportant or transient aspects cloud the mind and intellect; one then tends to overlook the enduring i.e. not perceive, understand or experience the larger picture </span><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->(~ as symbolized by the <i>swan metaphor</i>).&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->BG 10.27: || <span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>airāvataḿ gajendrāṇāḿ</i></span> || ~ "Of lordly elephants I am Airavata". </span></span><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="text">~ This could be a reference to Sri Ganesh. [~ </span></span></span>Sri Ganesh represents a set of qualities.]</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text">~ The small eyes = concentration. The small mouth and the bent trunk (Vakra-Tunndda) = less noise, more efficiency (complete opposite of 'empty vessels makes the most noise'). The bent trunk indicates: one who is not given to boasting or talking unnecessarily; in other words: non-ignorant. The big elephant ears = great listening ability ('listening', and not merely 'hearing'). The single tusk = retaining the good and discarding the rest. Also: non-extravagant. The big body (Maha-Kaaya) = immense strength: to stop all obstacles - in the path of good deeds or actions. The large stomach = not constricted; <i>digests</i> or accepts everything (all that life has to offer) without being affected. The swift <i>mooshika-vahana</i>(the 'mooshika' or the <i>mouse</i> as 'vehicle') - represents: <i>swiftness</i>(obviously), but a <i>mooshika</i> finds its way through all kinds of terrains and tears down all sorts of obstacles (vighn) - with its sharp teeth. ~ And, since the <i>mooshika</i> is his 'vaahan' or vehicle - the latter remains under control and cannot take Sri Ganesh for a ride. In other words: lack of negative greed or avoidable desire. The <i>parasu</i> or axe = to strike down all obstacles in the path of good (positive) deeds. The rope + lotus = to pull an individual closer to the goal + to pull him or her away from negative aspects, negative thinking, and the like. [<span style="color: #0c343d;">*</span>A <i>lotus</i> grows in muddy water yet remains untouched by it.] The palm in <i>abhaya mudra = </i>blessings + reassurance. The tasty <i>Modakas</i> = the rewards/fruition of one's single-minded efforts [karm-yog.] All that Sri Ganesh symbolizes can achieve any goal or purpose: <i>Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> When one prays to Sri Ganesh, one is essentially praying to be bestowed with all these traits or qualities so as to be able to surmount all odds and impediments... and complete a good deed or task successfully always (Sarvadaa). Hence, Sri Ganesh is worshiped <i>before</i> the commencement of any auspicious task. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Gan + esh = Ganesh. ~ 'Gan' can indicate people (gana) or even good traits (guna). 'Esh' = the best of or the master of. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span>Lord Buddha is depicted with large ears, while the similarity between Sri Ganesh and the Laughing Buddha is remarkable. Goddess Sarasvati is also a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography.]</span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i><b>*</b><span style="color: #4c1130;">The lotus in muddy water</span></i> is not to be misconstrued as: a lotus flower blooms brightly if more mud is poured on it. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The roots of a lotus are <span class="ilad">in the mud (muddy water)</span>, <span class="ilad">the stem</span>grows up through the (muddy) water, and the heavily <span class="ilad">scented</span>flower lies pristine above the water,<i> </i>basking in the sunlight. ~ The lotus remains <i>Nirmal</i> (pristine), even though rooted in the muddiest waters. <i>~ This pattern of growth signifies the </i><i>progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism (attachment to sense objects - glory, fame, accolades, etc), through <span class="ilad">the waters</span> of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment (the wisdom of knowledge).</i> ~ The <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>lotus</i></span> represents a self-realized soul (one who has achieved inner perfection); the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>muddy water</i></span> represents sense objects. The lotus remaining <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Nirmal</i></span>(pristine), even though rooted in the muddiest waters - represents non-attachment to sense objects and the <i>dharmic freedom of inner detachment </i>(Jeevan Mukta). ~ It is the mark of an enlightened, higher soul (mahatmanah). The spirit of such persons is pristine (Nirmal).</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> And so, the concept of caraṇa-ambujam/caraṇa-ambhojam or "lotus feet" and kara-puṣkara or "lotus-palm" has come about. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The goals and objectives is important ~ so long there is non-attachment to sense objects (personal accolades, fame, etc) and so long the means (ingenuity, etc) is a step towards the greater cause - the larger or collective good ~ e.g. working towards creating a better (progressive and vibrant) society. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span class="st">The </span><span class="st">lotus flower and the swan (hamsah) are (thus) embodiments of <i>nishkam karm</i> and inner detachment (Jeevan Mukta - the <i>dharmic freedom</i> of inner detachment) and exemplify a true yogi - a real ascetic (hamsan) or </span>sanyaasi (~ it indicates inner detachment or jeevan mukt - not renunciation). ~ Such a one is<span class="st"> a true yogi<i> - a </i></span><span class="st"><i>nishkam karm-yogi</i>. Such a yogi is called <i>hamsah - the swan</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn is also known as <i>Hamsah</i> - the swan; his was the highest dharmic mission. Humanity was faced with bigger and mightier odds/challenges/impediments in Dvapar than in Treta, but this did not deter him. He was </span><span class="hp">clear-eyed (non-deluded) and steered the course through tortuous events ~ to put things on firmer ground (upward trajectory or a positive turnaround).</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The lotus is an aquatic perennial plant. The lotus flower is considered divine and represents the purity of the mind (highest enlightenment) and consciousness (inner perfection). Lotus is the embodiment of spiritual perfection. It defines the capacity of the soul to expand and embrace the beauty of life with a clear conscience. ~ This magnificent flower emerges from the muddy waters of a pond or lake, but still remains unstained by the mud surrounding it in the pond or lake. This unique quality of the flower is believed to represent a higher soul (mahatmanah), beauty (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">sundar = <i>sattvic</i> traits - auspiciousness, goodness, non-selfish and devoid of narrow perspective; in other words: inner perfection) and transcendence. The quality of the lotus flower to remain unblemished by the water and mud of the pond, where it grows, is compared with the quality of a wise and spiritually enlightened person, who performs his or her duty without any material desire. This quality of detachment enables one to remain unaffected by all worldly pleasures and gain, and achieve spiritual perfection. The lotus bud is compared with a folded soul, which has the ability to blossom or awaken to realize the divine truth. ~ This symbolizes the journey from the darkness of ignorance to the light or spiritual illumination. (<i>Asato maa Sat-gamaya</i> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <i>Tamaso maa Jyotir-gamaya</i> ~ From delusion or illusion lead us to the Truth [eternal/non-transient knowledge or highest enlightenment - <i>para vidya</i>) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> From darkness/ignorance or confusion lead us towards light and wisdom...)</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><i>Airavata</i> is said to have been white in colour.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Modern Burma (also: Burmah, now Myanmar) was actually Brahm Desha or the 'Land of Brahm'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="textexposedshow">The region between the Sindhu and SarasvatI rivers too were regarded by the Rig Vedic people as the holiest of holy grounds - <i>Brahmadesa</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Sri Hayagriva or the Hayagriva-avatar is the male equivalent of <i>Devi</i>Sarasvati. [Putra or Putri indicates manifestation, personification or embodiment.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->... The major river in Burma has now been anglicized to Irrawaddy, but is pronounced very differently in the Burmese tongue as Ayeyarawati. This is because: it is derived from the Sanskrit name <i>Airavata</i> (~ maybe it issued forth from a mountain snout or rock shaped like the mouth of an elephant). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Besides, the <i>Acirvati</i>was an ancient river flowing through what are now Nepal and the northern portion of Uttar Pradesh. The Aciravati was also known as the Ajiravati or the Airavati. The Chinese pilgrim Yuan Chwang knew it as A-chi-lo. Jain texts mention it as Eravai. ~ The ancient city of Sravasti stood on the western bank of the Aciravati. It was one of the five great rivers that constituted the Ganges group of rivers. It was one of the sacred rivers of the Buddhist midland. [This system of five rivers too probably issued from a mountain snout or rock shaped like the mouth of an elephant.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ In Thailand whitish-gray elephants are found. Elephants are considered special in Thailand, and white-hued elephants in particular are regarded as sacred and lucky because they are associated with the birth of the Buddha. Legend holds that the more white-hued elephants found during a king's reign, the more glorious and prosperous his reign will be. Today, they are commonly thought to bring good luck. Most white-hued elephants are not truly white or albino, but are paler in colour than other elephants.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow"><b>........................................................... </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow">BG 10.21: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>jyotisam ravir amsuman</i></span> || ~ "of radiance I am the radiant sun"<i> (</i>ravir amsuman). ~ It is a reference to the majestic Sun-god [Pratyaksh-Brahmn] as well as to the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form)<i> Brahmn-jyoti</i>. (<i>Refer the passages on the Gayatri Mantra</i>). ~ Goddess Sarasvati is the <i>manifestation</i> of both - </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span class="textexposedshow">the majestic Sun-god [Pratyaksh-Brahmn] + the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form)<i> Brahm-jyoti </i>(Absolute OM).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> In this verse, Krishn is also referring to the Summer Solstice (Sanskrit: Dakshinayana - June 21 or 22.) ~ On this day even Druids celebrate. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Sudarshan Vasudev Dhanvantari - the Supreme Druid - arrives to stem the societal 'churn'/manthan whenever it becomes too great, i.e. whenever it becomes a bane. ~ Dhanvantari, the Supreme Druid, stabilizes and re-energizes by administering <i>aoushata</i> (cure, remedy) - so that human society can (gradually) regain its health and vigour. [Rudra-Siva (Vaidyanatha - Lord of Remedies) and Dhanvantari (the Supreme Druid) are non-different.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ This verse is essentially indicative of Goddess Sarasvati. The <i>saguna</i>, unmanifested Trimurti of 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' (Rudra-Siva) is non-different.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'Ogo Nadi Apon Bege': <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEmjzBMBR-k"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a></span>. ~ </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">'<i>Ogo Nadi apon bege pagal paraa (</i><span class="textexposedshow">'flowing rapidly'<i> - pra-sasre; </i>'moving faultlessly'<i> - akuvari)</i></span><i> path-e path-e bahir hoye apon haara (Rudra-Siva, Sadasiva or Bhola Nath</i>...)'</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">**</span>Dakshinayana or Pitrayana is referred to as Karka Sankraman or Karkataka Sankranti. On this day, Sun enters into Karka rashi (Cancer) [Tropic of Cancer]. Dakshinayana or Karka Sankraman is a time for performing Pitru tarpan - to pay respect to Pitr Devatas (ancestors), it is also a time for performing charitable deeds, worshipping Lord Vishnu (<span class="kword">the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i>cosmic <i>Vishnu</i> - the Sustainer/Maintainer or Preserver <i>aspect</i> of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM);</span> chanting Vishnusahasranama stotram ("the thousand names of Vishnu"), chanting Lalita Sahasranama stotram ("the thousand names of Goddess Lalita" - the <i>saguna</i>, manifested Goddess Aadi Shakti; in other words: Goddess Sarasvati); worshipping Lord Varaha (the 3rd avatar of the Dasavatara, the supreme form of <span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>Goddess Narayani - the manifested <i>saguna</i> Vishnu/Narayan - Goddess Sarasvati.) ~ Incidentally, the current kalpa is known as "Svhetavaraha Kalpa". (Svheta = white. Varaha = the one-tusked great boar.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>G<span class="kword">oddess Sarasvati/Narayani is also the Stabilizer/Preserver/Maintainer of all the worlds; thus She is depicted as<i> Lakshmi </i>alongside the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i>cosmic <i>Vishnu</i> - the Sustainer/Maintainer or Preserver <i>aspect</i> of the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities), <i>unmanifested</i> (avyaktah, niraakar - without form) Absolute OM - Cosmic Light or Light Divine. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Sanskrit, <i>sahasra</i> means "a thousand" and <i>nāma</i>(nominative, the stem is <i>nāman</i>) means, "name". </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nāman = to pay obeisance to.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="text">BG 10.27: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>uccaiḥśravasam aśvānāḿ viddhi mām amṛtodbhavam airāvataḿ gajendrāṇāḿ narāṇāḿ ca narādhipam</i></span> || ~ "Of horses know Me to be Uccaiḥśravā, of lordly elephants I am Airāvata, and among humans I am the monarch." (Cakravartin)</span></span><span class="text">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">|| <i>uccaiḥśravasam aśvānāḿ viddhi mām amṛtodbhavam </i>|| ~ Uccaiḥśravā (Uchchaihshravas): the snow-white and seven-headed flying horse, considered the best of horses and king of horses, produced/created during the churning of the ocean (</span>'samudra-manthan' or 'sagar-manthan' i.e. kshira-sagara manthan - for 'amrit').&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Flying horse: peacock + swan imagery. [</span><span style="color: #351c75;">'</span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Ogo Kajal Nayona Harini</span><span style="color: #351c75;">': </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N3LoL5XdAk"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore's </span><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aji Jhara Jhara Mukharo Badoro Diney</span>': </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">li</span></a></i></b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dC9JGjtH8"><span style="color: #a64d79;">nk</span></a></i></b></span>.<span style="color: #351c75;"> ('... <i>oi balaka-r pathakhani nitey chiney</i>...' balaka = white goose or hamsa. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> '<i>Meghamallar shara dinaman <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> baje jharonaro (spring, fountain) gaan</i>...' is a reference to Goddess Sarasvati</span>).]</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Here 'amrit' is a metaphor. It refers to new, fresh or positive aspects that emerge or evolve out of societal churn (~ the proverbial </span><span class="text"><span class="text"></span>'samudra-manthan' or 'sagar-manthan' - </span><span class="text">kṣīroda, kṣīradhi or Ksheera Sagara manthan). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>Lord Rudra-Siva (as 'Neelkanth' - the allegorical 'blue-throated one') </span>accepts the 'toxic aspects' or negativism resulting out of 'societal manthan/churn' - for the good of humanity/mankind ~ to allow it to evolve, so that a better and vibrant society emerges. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b>Negativism (referred to as halahala or kaalkoot) = the metaphoric 'toxic aspects' (such as: barbs, bile, confusion, ignorance, delusion, illusion, hopelessness, retrogressiveness, vanity, hubris, pettiness, inertia, apathy or indifference, narrow-mindedness, triviality, selfish concerns, and so on) which - if allowed to accumulate - would lead to stagnation and societal degeneration (i.e. degeneration or decline in civilizational values and ideals). ~ Lord Rudra-Siva's actions helps to curb these negative aspects... thereby laying the foundations for a rejuvenated and vibrant society to emerge. &nbsp;<span class="text"> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">The River </span>SarasvatI is (also) called "she with seven sisters" (saptasvasā). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> T<span class="bodyarl">he 'Sapta Sindhu' ("seven rivers" - </span>Vedic Sapta Sindhavaḥ; "Sindhu" means <i>river</i>, <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit<span class="bodyarl">) refers to the rivers SuturI (Sutlej), VipASa (Beas), </span><span class="unicode">AsiknI </span><span class="bodyarl">(Chenab), ParuSNI (Ravi), VitastA (Jhelum), Sindhu (Indus) and</span>probably KubhA. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> ~ And this should probably explain <span class="text">'the snow-white and seven-headed flying horse', considered the best of horses and king of horses (unicorn - the one-horned horse - symbolizing rarity and uniqueness). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>[One-horned = ekashringa. Even Sri Ganesh is depicted with a single tusk.] It is <i>imagery</i> - to denote rarity or uniqueness (~ being the only one of its kind, i.e. unparalleled or extraordinary). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> On a side note: </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' ~ maybe, this fairy tale alludes to SarasvatI and the seven rivers - "she with seven sisters" (saptasvasa). ~ The story, though, may have undergone several variations and/or is largely unrelated.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="kword"><span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">narāṇāḿ ca narādhipam</span> </i></span></span>|| ~ "and among humans I am the monarch." (Cakravartin) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Cakravartin = a sagacious and sensible consensus-builder, someone with stature and a broader outlook/vision, an able leader and administrator + guardian (protector/preserver and guide)</span> ~ <i>kartaa</i> (the doer), <i>maargah</i> (the path), and <i>neyah</i> (the guide).</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">**</span>The month of Śrāvaṇa (Shravan) begins with the Sun's entry into Leo. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> During Dakshinayana or Pitrayana (the Summer Solstice - June 21st or 22nd) the Sun enters into Karkataka (Karka) rashi (Cancer). [Tropic of Cancer.] Hence, Dakshinayanam or Pitrayana is also referred to as Karka Sankraman or Karkataka Sankranti. [<i>Sankranti</i> means transition; transmigration of the Sun from one Rāshi (constellation of the zodiac in Indian astronomy) to the next.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Śrāvaṇa is the fifth month of the Hindu year, beginning in late July and ending in the third week of August. Śrāvaṇa begins with the Sun's entry into Leo. [Dates of Janmashtami are decided by the star constellations Ashtami and Rohini.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In the traditional lunar calendars, Śrāvaṇa begins on the new moon and is the fifth month of the year. ~ The Shravan masa vratam is the most auspicious of all vrata-s. ~ Shravan masa (the month of Shravan) is the best time to worship Lord Vishnu (~ <span class="kword">the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i>cosmic <i>Vishnu</i> - the Sustainer/Maintainer or Preserver <i>aspect</i> of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn)</span>. ~ People observing this vratam take meals once a day (eka bhukta bhojan) or Naktha Vratam (keeping fast during daytime and taking <i>prasad</i> or fruits or a light meal at night). Besides Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi is also worshiped. [<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="kword">~ Goddess Sarasvati/Narayani is also the Stabilizer/Preserver/Maintainer of all the worlds; thus She is depicted as<i>Lakshmi </i>alongside the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic <i>Vishnu</i>(the Sustainer/Maintainer or Preserver <i>aspect</i> of the Absolute OM/Brahmn).] </span>Goddess Lakshmi represents not only material wealth, but also the wealth of grains, courage, valour, wisdom, success, prosperity, well-being and eternal bliss or spiritual contentment of self-realization: sat-cit-ananda. [Though it is mentioned as grains (and unhusked rice is kept near the idol), it means nutrition, healthy and balanced nutrition.] People generally abstain from non-vegetarian food. ~ This is essentially done keeping the season and change of weather in mind. ~ Fruits, milk, etc enhance one's immunity. In the coastal areas... it is thought that most fish spawn during this period and so, abstaining from fishing during Śrāvaṇa (Shravan) will lead to increased availability of fish throughout the year.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="ital-inline">BG 10.31: || </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>jhaṣāṇāḿ makaraś cāsmi</i></span> || ~ "I am the crocodile among the fishes". ~ A crocodile can be associated with patience and precision, but crocodile is <i>makara</i> in Sanskrit. It is associated with </span>Makara Sankranti or Uttarayan (also known as: Pongal) - the most important Sankranti and one of the most auspicious occasions, signifying renewal or re-energizing (~ it is, therefore, regarded as the beginning of an auspicious phase).&nbsp;<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sankranti</i></span> means transition; i.e. transmigration of the Sun from one Rāshi (constellation of the zodiac in Indian astronomy) to the next. ~ Makara Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rasi (Capricorn). Scientifically, this day marks the beginning of warmer and longer days compared to the nights; thus the chill of winter in on decline. In other words, Sankranti marks the termination or closure of winter season and beginning of a new harvest or spring season. ~ It is perhaps the only festival or occasion whose date always falls on the same day every year: 14 January, with some exceptions, when the festival is celebrated on 13 January or 15 January (in a leap year). ~ Makara Sankranti marks the arrival of spring in India. ... And the spring season is associated with Krishn; he is the personification of spring. BG 10.35: ||<i> </i><span class="text"><i>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ ||</i></span><span class="text"> </span>~ "<span class="text">and of seasons I am spring". ~ Shyamsundar Krishn is the personification of spring. The spring season also (symbolically) indicates a new beginning. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span class="text">Makara Sankranti (or Pongal) marks the beginning of Uttarayan. [This time of year is generally associated with Goddess Sarasvati and Lord Vishnu. </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Uttarayan begins from the day of Makara Sankranti - heralding the arrival of spring and marking the beginning of Vasant Panchami (~ also known as Shree Panchami or Sarasvati Puja) - to pay our respect for knowledge and learning (~ non-transient knowledge). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span class="fcknormaltext0">Uttarayan is a combination of two Sanskrit words, 'uttar' meaning northward and 'ayan' meaning movement towards. It celebrates the Sun-god's northward movement. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>Makara Sankranti is the day when the majestic Sun-god (Suryadev or Pratyaksh-Brahmn) begins his movement towards the northern hemisphere, and thus it signifies: <i>'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya</span></i>' - may you go higher and higher, towards more and more Light (knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light, wisdom, intellectual illumination, and so on). It is the time to shun negative thinking (downward slide, hopelessness, cynicism, moribund aspects, and so on); positive thinking is re-energizing. ~ The Sun-god stands for an embodiment of knowledge, prosperity, spiritual light, the wisdom of knowledge, intellectual illumination, etc.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Makara Sankranti signifies renewal or new life: to turn away from (symbolic) negativism - confusion, delusion, ignorance, pessimism, and the like... and to begin to create a new life with bright light (within us) - to shine brighter (i.e. inner progress). It is a festival/occasion celebrated all over the country with great fervour, gaiety and kite-flying. [<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Shankhachil or "Brahminy Kite" is distinctive and contrastingly coloured, with chestnut plumage except for the white head and chest and black wing tips. In India, the noble-natured Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) is considered as the contemporary representation of Garuda. ~ The Brahminy Kite (often referred to as the Singapore Bald Eagle) is also called Shankhachil, since the white plumage of this bird is similar to the white of a conch-shell. ~ Brahminy is derived from Brhm (non-transient knowledge or <i>para vidya</i> leading to the wisdom of knowledge - enlightenment).] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Post-Makara Sankranti, when the earth begins to get closer to the sun, the cold winter begins to yield to delightful spring. ~ Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of Vasant or spring, when it is time for every tree, branch and bower to spring to new life with blooms and bursts of colour and fragrance, vibrant in festive display. ~ The flower (kusumā) is a beautiful symbol of life and regeneration. ... Hence, the spring season is <i>Kusumakar</i> (kusumākaraḥ) or <i>Rituraj</i>, the king of all seasons. [<span class="text">BG 10.35: || <i>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</i> || ~ </span><span class="kword"><span class="text"><span class="text">"and of seasons I am spring"</span>.]</span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="text">..........................................................</span></span></span></span></b></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span><br /><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">BG 2.47: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr</i></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i> <span class="usercontent">mā te sańgo 'stv akarmaṇi</span></i></span><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span>|| ~ Do your duty (i.e. imbibe the spirit of <i>dharma</i> - steadfast, tangible and effective action... whether individual or collaborative - for the larger good, e.g. collective societal goals, etc) ~ to the best of your ability. Overcome your limitations. Avoid action(s) not backed by adequate thoughtful consideration/cogitation. Instead of indulging in linear thinking (leading to simplistic or utopian 'quick-fix'), cultivate a broader vision or holistic view - to be able to comprehend the larger canvas or bigger picture ~ so as to be able to discriminate/differentiate between the enduring or essentials and transient aspects (superficial or trivial). Concentrate on your convergences. Do not highlight your divergences. Shun lethargy and volubility (loquacity and grandiloquence). Overcome inertia. Imbibe positivism (in attitude and approach). Never lose hope.</span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[In other words: Perform your karm (to the best of your ability) - for the larger/collective good... and leave the rest to God. Also: Never give up.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ Cultivate mental equanimity: don't be deterred by lack of instant solutions or outcome; try not to feel exalted or carried away by success, accolades, fame, etc; try not to feel dejected or overwhelmed by barbs, bile, impediments, and so on. These are transient aspects. Instead, endeavour to remain cheerful (positive attitude/morale). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Collective shirking of responsibility or being a fence-sitter or being weak-minded is not advisable. Rather, the focus should be on an objective understanding of the genesis, prioritization, longer-term planning (not ad hoc fixes) and performing well-thought out + collaborative, tangible, sustained karm-yog (continuous effort) - as best as possible. Perfunctoryness or platitude is not a substitute. Nor is pessimism, despondency, cynicism, complacency, procrastination, etc advisable. Be a problem-solver; remain steadfast in reaching the collective societal goals/objectives. Develop inner fortitude. ~ Frustration or dejection is for the weak-minded, and serves no purpose. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">The higher cause (the greater good) and the struggle (continuous effort) alone should inspire the thoughts and actions. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->One might say that it is simply a matter of doing the <i>dharmic</i> thing (e.g. for a better society to emerge) - <i>not</i> for the results or outcome, <i>not</i> out of desire for personal glory or fame. Nothing more, nothing less. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Krishn's advise is: do your duty. Let your life become one with the cause of the greater whole. That, and that alone.]&nbsp;</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Collaborative karm-yog <i>also</i> provides a national sense of direction, of collective achievement; it helps build character and mettle, otherwise a glorious past is no guarantee for a great future.&nbsp;</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While in Japan Tagore wrote: "The Japanese do not waste their energy in useless screaming and quarreling, and because there is no waste of energy it is not found wanting when required. This calmness and fortitude of body and mind is part of their national self-realization."</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">~ Krishn was a most extraordinary figure - at a crucial turn of our history. He led by example, and instructed through his own behaviour (acharan) - the mark of a true <i>guru</i>. His was the highest <i>dharmic</i> mission; by his very appearance and diligent efforts, he not only revived/reinvigorated the principles of <i>dharma</i> (dharma-samsthapanarthaya), he also urged (advised) humanity to action (karm) - <i>to <span style="font-style: normal;"><i>duty</i>. To karm yog. </span></i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The maha-avatars are Cosmic Teachers and steward-mentors. They impart lessons and advise through their own behaviour and actions. It is for humanity to comprehend the lessons imparted via the words and deeds.</span><span class="textexposedshow" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Krishn comes across as ubercool - sorted and approachable, and not some distant authoritative figure.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">... The Rig Vedic people regarded the region between the Sindhu and SarasvatI rivers as the holiest of holy grounds - Brahmadesa (possibly a reference to Brahm-putri). </span><span class="hp">BG 10.24: || <i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i> ||</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> </b></span></i><span class="textexposedshow">They developed a unique world-view blending material prosperity with spirituality and a scientific temper (knowledge, innovation and creativity). Spirituality (not to be misconstrued for ritualism or religiofication) and contentment (sat-cit-ananda) constituted the core of the accepted value system. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span>Krishn (or for that matter, Chanakya) emphasized on <i>dharma</i> (that which makes a human a human: duties and responsibilities - whether performed individually or collaboratively - resulting in or contributing towards the larger societal goals) and diligent <i>karm-yog </i>(steadfast, well-thought-out action(s) instead of adhoc fixes, ritualism or ceremonialism, platitudes or insouciance).<i> </i>They advised against blinkered or unifocal worldview. It is counterproductive. ... Instead, they exhorted for a wise, holistic understanding and perspective - to make the effort to comprehend the larger picture. E.g. Chanakya viewed Alexander's arrival as an event that could completely transform the essence of the cherished civilizational values and ideals... and thus the ethos of the land. [He did not see Alexander as a marauder or likely plunderer of ancient India's fabled riches.] ~ Krishn too viewed the probability of Duryodhan's ascension to the throne in the same light. ~<span style="color: #660000;"><b></b></span> Besides, an assortment of destructive weaponry and unnatural humans (sort of human-like humanoids - begotten through advanced genetic engineering and cloning technology) had to be done away with ~ so as to let human civilization progress and flourish naturally, organically and peacefully. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Some genetic defects were found in subsequent generations which too were set right through medical procedures. 'Kaalsarpa Dosha', 'Sarpa Dosha' or 'Nag Dosha' refers to genetic disorder. A genetic disorder is an illness caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes. ~ If one observes the shape of DNA, it resembles two snakes coiled together (something we now refer to as: DNA coiled into the double helix structure as a ladder, a twisted rope ladder, or a spiral staircase). In ancient times, the Rishis or Munis (honorifics for highly learned and knowledgeable persons) visualized everything - and thus (euphemistically or maybe symbolically) referred to DNA as 'Sarpa', and any disorder in the DNA was hence termed as 'Sarpa Dosha'. [Dosha = bio-energies found in the body.] ~ Raja Janamajaya/Janamejaya's 'yagna' (euphemism for a 'scientific procedure') to correct 'Kaalsarpa Dosha' or genetic disorder took up twelve years. [~ A big chunk of the 'yagna' etc mentioned in our ancient texts is a reference to one or the other scientific or medical procedure. From the narrative one can figure out what sort of procedure has been indicated. Also, the logo of the Indian Medical Association is self-explanatory.] ~</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Parikshit is derived from the word "Parikshan" - indicating a 'test' or 'scientific procedure' (unnatural human?) There is a 'sarpa' involved in the story of Parikshit (Janamejaya's father) - though the story has largely been mistranslated. This 'sarpa' is indicative of some genetic disorder. ... Maybe <i>Rishi</i> Shameek and his son (Shringi) diagnosed this disorder, but were unable to cure it. Perhaps during the procedure itself or while undergoing therapy the disorder aggravated and/or his body reacted negatively to the therapy or medication and thus, Parikshit died (as indicated by 'Takshak hiding himself within an apple'.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Thereupon, Parikshit's son Janmejaya ascended the throne... and promptly took remedial measures - to correct his own genetic anomaly or disorder ('Sarpa Dosha' or 'Kaalsarpa Dosha'). In all likelihood, Janmejaya probably engaged a number of renowned Maharshis, Rishis and Munis (honorifics for highly knowledgeable and learned persons) - to conduct research and experiments... so as to find a remedy. ~ And this time - after twelve years' of continuous efforts - they were successful.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... Due to the positive actions of Sri Ram and his siblings (which benefited society), Treta accepted humans born due to IVF therapy (~ and this would have helped childless couples too), while Dvapar rejected genetically engineered and cloned humans. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> There were two Magadha-s: one on the eastern parts of modern India (consisting of eastern U.P., Bihar, possibly Jharkhand, Bengal, Assam and Odisha) and the other on the western parts of ancient India. ~ The latter (the one on the western parts of ancient India) was also known as Prachya - Eastern Country; maybe east to the Persians, Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Apparently, "The Indus skirts the frontiers of Praesii".</span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">There is no River Indus in the eastern parts of modern India.</span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> After the great dharma-yuddha (battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity, for a prosperous and vibrant society to emerge) - <i>this</i>Magadha became the foremost of ancient kingdoms with the new capital Pataliputra, a port city on the banks of the Ganges (~ <i>this</i> 'Ganges' could be a reference to ancient India... and not the river). <span class="text">BG 10.31: || </span><span class="text"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i> || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [Here, 'Ganga' is a reference to India.] </span>~ Jarasandh, Chanakya, the Mauryas, the Nandas and later the Guptas were associated with <i>this</i> Magadha - the one on the western parts of ancient India. ~ The Nandas and Mauryas ruled <i>this</i> kingdom. And even the Guptas. ~ The Mauryas built the celebrated Mauryan Empire that spanned far and wide. ~ Lord Krishn founded <i>this</i> city of Pataliputra (<i>~ Palibothra</i>or Palimbothra to the Greeks) - 138 generations before the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. [~ Krishn is <i>Lohitah</i> or Rohit - pale-red in complexion. Pale-red = paTalaH in Sanskrit. Putra = embodiment, personification or manifestation. ~ Lotus is one of the few flowers that has fascinated mankind since time immemorial, with its exotic beauty. Lotus also inspires the human mind to achieve perfection (inner perfection) even in adversities. It is always possible to overcome the tribulations of life to attain fulfillment and perfection (inner perfection). ~ The lotus flower signifies a 'way of life' based on dharma (strong dharmic principles and virtues), purity (inner perfection), dignity, wisdom and harmony. The pale-red lotus is the Supreme Lotus; this lotus is highly revered and signifies the highest deity. Krishn thus embodies or personifies the highest lotus (paTalaH-putra or Pataliputra.) In other words: He is the manifestation of the pale-red lotus. Goddess Lakshmi is also associated with the pale-red lotus. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> A pale-red lotus denotes the state of a person's mind; a full-bloomed pale-red lotus means: Supreme or highest Enlightenment or the stage where <i>nirvana</i> is attained - the state of a Buddha.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ~ The lotus grows elegantly out of the muddy waters, unaffected and untouched by the mud, so it is considered supreme among all flowers, and is often compared to a person with strong virtues (including selflessness) and <i>dharmic</i> principles.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The all-conquering Alexander did not cross the Indus region. Rather, his <span class="textexposedshow">career pretty much came to a halt... after his brief encounter with the mighty king of the Indus region - Raja Paurava (Parvateshvar or Puru; Porus to the Greeks). [Paurava hailed from the Puruvansh (Pauravas) or the Bharatas/Bharatvansh - descendents of Raja Yayati's youngest-born Puru.] ~ </span>The Greeks however had some success ruling as kings in&nbsp;north-western cities&nbsp;such as the one in&nbsp;Takshashila... the decline of which marked the decline in Indian education, thought and structure (direction, innovation, cohesion, etc). However, the so-called Macedonian empire in the east lasted less than ten years after the invasion. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Quintus Curtius mentions that when Alexander squared off against King Porus (also known as: Puru, Paurava or Parvateshvar)... Porus' soldiers were carrying an image of 'Herakles' in their vanguard. ~ Megasthenes' Herakles was <i>not</i> the classical Greek deity <i>per se</i>. ...</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> Megasthenes was reasonably familiar with the places he visited in ancient India.</span> During his travels (as the ambassador of the Seleucids) at the time of the reign of Samrat Chandragupta Maurya of the Maurya Empire/Dynasty (lineage)... Megasthenes came upon an Indian deity, a fascinating figure... and equated him with the classical Greek divinity - Herakles. <i>This</i> Herakles was none other than Krishn or Hari-Krishna. ~ Megasthenes also described an Indian clan called <i>Sourasenoi</i>, who especially worshipped 'Herakles' in their land, and this land had two cities, Methora (Mathura) and Kleisobora, and a navigable river, the Jobares. ... As was common in the ancient period, the Greeks sometimes described foreign deities/gods in terms of their own divinities, and there is little doubt that the 'Sourasenoi' refers to the Shurasenas or Shurasena Yadus <span class="textexposedshow">~ a branch of the Yadu clan/kula (descendents of Raja Yayati’s eldest-born Yadu). Therefore, the Shuracena Yadus can be identified with the ancient clan/lineage of Harikula or Harivansh. [The Sarakenoi or Saraceni (late Latin <i>Saracēnus </i>or late Greek <i>Sarakēnos</i>) could actually be the Shuracena Yadus, apart from the Vrishnis. [Vasudev Krishn, the Lord of Mathura and Dvarka, is also known as Varshneya.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Chanakya very likely was a Vrishni. He is called </span>Brahmana (an honorific + indicative of his personality traits or innate nature) since he trod the path of knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment (the wisdom of knowledge; also: he was a highly learned and knowledgable person). There are some indications that he was a "Dramila" - possibly a word used (by our ancients) to refer to the people who escaped the great deluge that swallowed up Dvarka (Dvaravati). Chanakya probably was born into one such family. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Pandit" indicates a wise, learned and knowledgable person. "Acharya" means: "He who instructs through his own behavior (acharan)". <i>That is the mark of a true teacher/guru</i>.<span class="textexposedshow">] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But what is meant by the river Erannoboas? Is it a reference to Chandrabhaga (Chenab)? ~ According to Classical accounts the river Jomanes/Jobares (Yamuna?) flows through Palibothra (Pataliputra - built by Krishn) into the Ganges (this may not be the river, it could be a reference to ancient India) between the towns of Methora (Mathura) and Carisobaras. ~ So, this Methora (Mathura) was very likely part of Prachya - Eastern Country (Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks). But what is meant by Carisobaras? Here, Jomares or Jomanes (Yamuna) is very likely a metaphor. It could not have been the river by the same name... 'coz the river Yamuna is part of the Madhyadesa or Middle Country region (of the Mahabharata times). ~ And Krishn was not part of this region. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Also, who is Sandrokottas (to the Greeks)? Is it a reference to Chandragupta Maurya? ~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is also reference to a king called Chandraketu (as the head of the Prabhadraka Kshatriyas). Was this Chandraketu - Sandrokottas to the Greeks? Also, who then was Sandrokyptos? Who was Sasicottus? And who was Xandramas?</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>...........................................................</b></span></span></i></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The name <i>Basant</i> is from Sanskrit "<i>vasant</i>" meaning "spring", and during this season of the year <i>Basant</i> may be performed at any time of the day or night. The Raagmala gives Basant as a <i>putra</i>(son) of Hindol, also a spring raga. Today it belongs to the Purvi thaat. </span></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Performed in slow tempo, this gentle melody depicts quiet joy.</span><b> </b></span></span></i></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">1. <span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Raag Basant</span> by Pt. Jasraj:</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2M6GJixaOk"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></a></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>.</i></span><b><span style="color: #351c75;">&nbsp;</span></b></span></span></i></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">2.</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Raag Hindol</span> by Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi:</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTE06PzryXI"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></a></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">1</span></span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #351c75;">and</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvuibN95Vrg"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></a></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">2</span></span><b><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span></b></span></span></i></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">3.</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Raag Basant Bahar</span> by Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty: </span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-SuUa24eIk"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></a>.&nbsp; </span></b></span></span></i></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">4.</span></span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Raag Basant</span> by Pt. Kumar Gandharva:</span><b><span style="color: #351c75;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bur33XHa0aE"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></a></span></b><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span></span></span></i></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">5. <span style="color: #741b47;">Raag Gauri Basant</span> by Pt. Kumar Gandharva: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53mu6-cYKv4"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>.&nbsp;</span></span></span></i></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">H</span></span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">ere </span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">are a couple of</span></span></span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> Bhairavi Bhajans - '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Jo Bhaje Hari ko Saadaa</span>' and '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Prabhuh Kar Sab Dukh Duur</span>' by Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqlYN2hHYtY"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>1<b> </b>and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LZfrc1MEkI"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>2.</span></span></span></i></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">T</span><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">ruly blessed - Sarasvati-putra ~ the great masters of the ever-lasting art. Creative geniuses. Pranam.</span></span></span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-style: normal;">~ A riveting masterpiece rendered impeccably - '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Sarasvati Vandana</span>' (Var De Veena Vadini): <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvEzwETM3sE"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">&nbsp;</span></b></span></span></span></i></span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">H</span><span style="color: #674ea7;">a</span><span style="color: #0c343d;">p</span><span style="color: #783f04;">p</span><span style="color: #a64d79;">y</span> <span style="color: #660000;">H</span><span style="color: #7f6000;">o</span><span style="color: #741b47;">l</span><span style="color: #4c1130;">i</span></b>, everyone</span></span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">!!!</span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><span style="font-style: normal;">.........................................................</span></b></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The first avatar&nbsp; - the matsya avatar - appeared as a dolphin. </span><i><span style="font-style: normal;">This is allegoric. ~ The matsya-avatar was </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">a wise and benevolent guide through the swirling waters (real and allegoric). During the last great deluge ('Mahajal Pralaya') the specially-built ships (nao) followed the path shown by the 'dolphin'. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Incidentally, a Sisumara (dolphin) also represents Sri Vishnu. ... And a dolphin is well-known for guiding ships through turbulent waters.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There are two <i>aspects</i> to the 'dolphin'. ~ We will understand this, if we comprehend the concept of dualism or duality (Dvaita).&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">~ </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The three cosmic phenomenon of 'Creation (Brahma)-Maintenance (Vishnu)-Dissolution (Shiva)' represents the three <i>aspects</i> of the impersonal <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn <i>as</i>the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Cosmic Trimurti - 'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva'. ~ Thus, 'Sri Vishnu' is a reference to the 'Maintenance' <i>aspect</i> of the impersonal (<i>nirguna</i> - without qualities) and unmanifested (<i>avyaktah, niraakar</i> - without form) Absolute OM/Brahmn ~ Cosmic Light or Light Divine - the impersonal 'Brahm-jyotih' or 'Aadi-Shakti' - <i>Primal Creative Energy</i>.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The Almighty (Mahat or Ishvari, Para Brahmn or 'Brahma-putri' - manifestation/embodiment/personification [putri] of the Absolute OM/Brahmn) <i>represents</i> the saguna, <i>manifested</i>Trimurti - 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> T</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">he Almighty is the </span><span style="font-style: normal;">higher power embedded in the fabric of the universe (signifying permanent or eternal authority) - and is responsible for its continuing existence and operation.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The cosmic phenomenon of 'Creation-Maintenance-Dissolution' is (therefore) represented by the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva' + <i>manifested</i> 'Sarasvati-Lakshmi-Parvati' (Rudra-Siva or Sadashiva) ~ signifying the dualism or duality (the concept of <i>Dvaita</i>). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> For purposes of comprehension, the concept of ArdhaNarishvara or ArdhaNarishvari has come about. <b><span style="color: #660000;">||</span></b> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">brahmā vishnu sadāshiv <span style="color: #4c1130;">*</span>ardhāngī dhārā = To Brahmā, Vishnu and Sadashiva, partial holders of one body. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> hansānan garudāsan vrishavāhan sāje = To the One whose vehicle is the swan, the eagle, the bull. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> teeno rūp nirakhtā tribhuvan mann mohe (this should explain the 'Mohini-avatar') = The three worlds take delight in seeing Thine three forms <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> chandan mrigamad sohe bhāle shashidhārī = Anointed with chandan and musk (a reference to deer - symbolizing 'destiny'), forehead adorned with the crescent-moon. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> shvetāmbar pītāmbar bāghāmbar ange sanakādik brahmādik bhūtādik sange = To the One clad in white robes, in yellow robes, in tiger skins, worshipped by the Devas, the sages (highly learned and knowledgeable persons) and all beings. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> kar ke bīch kamandal chakra trishul dharatā jag karatā jag hartā jag pālan kartā = To the One who holds the waterpot, the sudarshan-chakra, the trident, the Creator, the Sustainer and Dissolver of the world. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> brahmā vishnu sadāshiva jānat avivekā pranavākshar ke madhye yeh tīno ekā aum jai shiv omkārā = The truly enlightened (like the swan or the self-realized) know Brahmā, Vishnu and Sadashiva are indeed one within the holy/sacred/auspicious syllable Pranava (AUM). Aum, victory to Shiva-Omkaara. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Chaander Haasir Baandh Bhengechhe</span>': <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Ens7XGwV8"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>link</i></span></b></a></span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 9.17: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>pitāham asya jagato mātā dhātā pitāmahaḥ vedyaḿ pavitram oḿkāra</i></span>|| ~ "I am the father (pitah)<i> </i>of this universe (jagato), the mother (mata), the support (dhata) and the grandsire (pitamahaḥ). I am the bestower of non-transient knowledge - the wisdom of knowledge leading to supreme or highest enlightenment (<i>para vidya</i> - when kundalini energy travels to the Sahasrara - the 7th chakra or crown chakra - the highest chakra), the purifier (dispeller of unwanted aspects, such as ignorance, confusion, delusion, etc) and the syllable oḿ." <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Omkara = the praṇava or <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>. ~ The Almighty is saguna, manifested OM - Para Brahmn, Brahm-putri or Omswaroop.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ If we can understand this, we will <i>also</i> comprehend: what the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> 'Narayana' is all about, and what the <i>saguna</i>, manifested 'Narayani' represents.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... And then, we can also gain clarity about which of them is indicated in the 'Dasavatara' - the ten principal manifestations (avatars) - to help and guide mankind/humanity whenever malevolence gains the upper-hand (i.e. when negativism becomes a bane) - yuge-yuge, yug/era after yug/era ~ as per the promised: <i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham</span> </i>- BG IV-7<i> ||</i> ~ <i>dharma-samsthapanarthaya</i> - to renew/revive/re-energize/reinvigorate/revitalize/rejuvenate the principles of <i>dharma</i> [<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->duties and responsibilities - whether performed individually or collaboratively - resulting in or contributing towards the larger societal goals] and <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->diligent <i>karm-yog </i>(steadfast, well-thought-out action(s) instead of adhoc fixes, platitudes, insouciance, etc) ~&nbsp;<i> </i>I manifest Myself (sambhavami) <i>yuge-yuge</i> - yug/era after yug/era. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> In other words: whenever and wherever societal 'churn' (manthan) becomes too difficult... so much so that humanity is bewildered - unable to find a solution or direction, or is hurtling towards 'quicksand' (quagmire)... only then, the Almighty manifests - to stem the 'churn' (manthan), to stabilize and to rejuvenate. ... In other words: When the 'churn' (manthan) becomes too great, the avatars manifest themselves to correct or reset the course. ~ Only an avatar can lift humanity from zero level or from sub-zero level (i.e. from the lowest point - from considerable ignorance, confusion, stagnation, decay etc - signifying the metaphoric 'quicksand' or quagmire)... and put it back on an upward trajectory; only an avatar has the capacity/caliber/ability to be that catalyst: to prevent a collapse of basic structure of mankind, to prevent humanity's slide into 'quicksand' or quagmire (or to pull it out from one) ~ to achieve a turn-around... to set the ball rolling, so to speak. [~ And, this should help us understand what the Varaha-avatar (the great one-tusked boar) is indicative of. This avatar is regarded as the supreme form of Sri Vishnu; if we comprehend the concept of dualism or duality... we can also understand what this means.]<span style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Perhaps, only the Almighty (Mahat, Ishvari, Para Brahmn or 'Brahma-putri') is familiar with the cosmic architecture - about the three cosmic phenomenon of 'Creation-Maintenance-Dissolution' (represented by the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> cosmic Trimurti of 'Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva'). And so, the Almighty is aware of the growth and evolution of the Manifested Cosmos, and so on.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The impersonal<i>, unmanifested </i>Absolute OM/Brahmn (Primal Creative Energy) is beyond all thought. ~ <i>Energy has no form or gender</i>.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">BG 10.22:<i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana</i></span></i></span> || </i>~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (manas); and in living beings (bhutanam) I am the living force (<i>cit</i> or cetana - sentience)."<b> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> If we can understand this, we will also understand what has been meant by Karna's '<i>chariot wheel sank deep into the ground</i>'. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> When an individual loses consciousness ~ it is a reference to the living force or vital energy (cit or cetana - <i>sentience</i>), also known as life force or vital breath (prana).</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Purusha</span> =&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Primal Cosmic Energy (Absolute OM/Brahmn) or the Self-existent impersonal spirit/energy; </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">the <i>Divine Essence</i>, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return. ~ <i>Jiva-atma</i> (mere Self or individual consciousness - <i>sentience</i> or cetana - living force or vital energy) too is part of this <span style="font-style: normal;">Self-existent impersonal spirit/energy. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Param-atma or Para-Brahmn represents the Atman or Supersoul - Higher Self or Universal Consciousness (<i>universal intelligence or cosmic mind</i>). In other words: the Almighty. </span>~ BG 9.4: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>mayā tatam idaḿ sarvaḿ jagad avyakta-mūrtinā mat-sthāni sarva-bhūtāni na cāhaḿ teṣv avasthitaḥ</i></span> || ~ "By Me, in My unmanifested form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings are in Me, but I am not in them." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The first-half of this verse indicates the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn (Cosmic Light or Light Divine - Self-existent impersonal spirit/energy or divine essence). The latter-half is indicative of the <i>Atman</i> or Supersoul (Universal Consciousness or Higher Self - <i>Param-atma </i>or Para-Brahmn).</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">... For <i>this</i> confluence, i.e. for the merging or<i> confluence</i> of the mere Self (individual consciousness - <i>cetana</i> or sentience) with the Higher Self (universal consciousness; universal intelligence or cosmic mind) to happen - the gentle 'awakening' or 'rousing' of the latent spiritual energy - kundalini - lying dormant at the base of the spine - is required... so that this living and conscious energy pervades an individual's entire being. [~ 'Nirjarer Swapnabhango' ('Awakening of the Fountain' or 'Rousing of the Fountain'). Fountain = spring, sarasa.] ~ Devoted and unselfish service to society or humanity - Nishkam karm-yog - is one path. ... However, there is no hard-and-fast rule. ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Self-realization</i></span> is the process of genuine, inner spiritual transformation and must be experienced to be understood, since it lies beyond the domain of scriptural description or academic definition (terminologies, etc). <span class="textexposedshow">~ The union or confluence of the <i>jiva-atma</i> (the mere Self or individual consciousness - cetana or<i> sentience</i>) with the <i>Atman</i> (Higher Self or Supersoul - the Universal Consciousness i.e. universal mind or cosmic intelligence - <i>Param-atma </i>or Para Brahmn) is called Sanaatan Dharma or Aadi Dharma. ~ This 'way of life' is performative and is (therefore) to be experienced.</span> <span class="textexposedshow"><i>Thus, the central concepts of dharma and karm-yog elude translation. | </i></span>Self-realization can be described as <i>the </i><i>pathway or route to inner perfection</i> ~ one's progress as a human being... leading to Supreme or highest Enlightenment (a pure or perfect person - the state of complete wisdom, the stage where <i>nirvana</i> is attained - the state of a Buddha). [~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Prana Bhoriye Trisha Hariye</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQVzxtvmMk"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>.] </span></span>... With the complete 'awakening' or 'rousing' of the kundalini energy... illusions disappear and clarity begins... thus barriers such as inflated ego, arrogance, confusion, delusion, selfish considerations, vainglory, etc can be surmounted. This brings about self-knowledge (<i>atma-vidya</i> - self-reflection or knowledge of the Self) - leading to <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sat-cit-ananda</i></span> - inner joy and contentment - the eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy (total contentment) of "self-realization". [~ When the <i>Sat</i> (universal consciousness) pervades one's sentience or consciousness (cit) it brings about true contentment (ananda) - inner joy, peace and tranquility... melting away or surmounting ego, vanity, delusions, etc. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Prana Bhoriye Trisha Hariye</span>': <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQVzxtvmMk"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>link</i></b></span></a>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i>~</i> '<i>Aaro alo, aaro alo, ei nayaney prabhu (My Lord) dhalo <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> surey surey banshi purey tumi aaro aaro aaro dao taan. ... Mor aami (ego-consciousness) dube jak nemey sudhadharey aponare (universal consciousness/Supersoul/Higher Self) tumi aaro aaro aaro karo daan</i>'.</span>] ~ Kundalini awakening connects a <i>jiva-atma</i> (mere Self or sentience - finite 'I') to his or her <i>Atman</i> (Supersoul, Para Brahmn, Param-atma or Higher Self - Infinite 'I' - universal intelligence or cosmic mind)</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">. ~ This Atman is the eternal aspect of an individual's personality; when an individual become totally connected with it, such a person becomes a Buddha (the Enlightened One - imbued with the light of wisdom or the state of complete wisdom, non-transient knowledge - <i>para vidya</i>). ~ Such a person attains <i>nirvana</i>; in other words: such a person is non-deluded - due to non-attachment to materialistic aspects or sense objects, or by the transient nature of the material or manifested world that he or she inhabits; such a person (therefore) gains eternal (sat or perfect [satya] i.e. non-transient) knowledge - <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">para vidya </span>~ </i>internal wisdom or perception, insight and accurate interpretation - the ability</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> to see the larger picture, transcend egocentricity, and to find the deeper meaning inherent in all things. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> T</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">he confluence or convergence of the finite into the Infinite, the mere Self (finite 'I') within the Higher Self (Infinite 'I')... leading to an individual's spiritual and intellectual awakening and evolution ~ the journey towards the awareness&nbsp;that the finite is inseparable from the Infinite<i> </i>is <i>self-realization</i>. ~ In other words: Self-realization (or Param-atma realization) is to fully know and understand oneself (<i>atmavidya</i> - self-reflection). Before knowing God, it is important to know oneself (<i>Atmavidya</i> or "knowledge of the Self"). If one understands oneself... only then it is possible to understand God, i.e. only then can one gain <i>Brahmavidya</i> or "knowledge of Brahmn", Manifested Cosmos, etc. [~ Here,<i> Brahmn</i> = Higher Self, Atman, Param-atma, Para Brahmn or Supersoul - Universal Consciousness - universal intelligence or cosmic mind.] With the realization of the Universal Consciousness (Atman, Supersoul, Para Brahmn or Higher Self) come universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge - <i>para vidya</i>).&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Cosmic Entity or Primal/Eternal Being (Para Brahmn) is <i>Purushottama</i> or Purusha-uttama (Supreme Being) or Purushottama Satya - Supreme Godhead. ~ Mahadeva (God of Gods) or<i> adhaataa</i> - above whom there is no other. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The impersonal Absolute OM/Brahmn is <i>Omprakash </i>(Cosmic Light or Light Divine - Divine Effulgence). ~ The Almighty is Para Brahmn, Brahm-putri or&nbsp; <i>Omswaroop</i> - manifestation or personification of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM. [~ Purusha does not mean 'male'; that is mistranslation.] </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">... The Matsya kingdom of the Mahabharata times is probably modern-day Rajasthan. Satyavati hailed from this kingdom (Matsya kingdom of the Mahabharata times), and is therefore referred to as "Matsya-kanya". (It does not mean fisher-woman or daughter of a fisherman. Kanya = female. ... In Treta or Dvapar, the concept of "caste" did not exist. An individual was known by his or her personality traits, i.e. innate nature (pravritti) and qualities (gunas or talent). It was not based on birth or heredity. ~ Even the Nandas, Mauryas and the Gupta emperors came from humble origins. Valmiki or Hanuman-ji was a "vaan-nar" - forest-(vaan)-dwelling human (nar). Maharshi Valmiki, before his spiritual transformation, was a </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->niṣāda<span style="color: #351c75;"> (nishada) or vyadh (forest-dwelling hunter-gather) known as Ratnakara. Vaan-nars, including nishadas, were adivasi. Sri Ram and his associates' sustained effort mainstreamed them, i.e. it proved to the other groups of humans that these too were full-fledged humans - with a distinct 'way of life', and not sub-humans or animals (as indicated by Hanuman-ji's symbolic tail). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Hanu" means jaw in Sanskrit. It probably refers to a prominent jaw as a distinctive facial feature of these groups. Hanuman = one with a distinctive jaw. Greeva = jawline; Su = good or handsome. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span> </b>Whoever was a seeker of knowledge, or trod the path of knowledge and/or was a wise and highly learned or knowledgeable person was a "Brahmana". Anyone engaged in or having a talent for administrative or defense-related activities/functions was a "Kshatriya". Someone with a talent for mercantile or trading activities was a "Vaishya". While a person engaged in or having a talent for agro-based activities or artisanship or craftsmanship was a "Sudra". [There was also a Sudra kingdom, an ancient kingdom mentioned in the Mahabharata.] The "varnaH-system" was essentially indicative of the available talent and work force. It was not meant to indicate a social hierarchy, although "Brahmanas" probably were accorded respect due to their wisdom and knowledge. [~ Adivasi groups have always existed. Adi = original or foremost; vasi = dwellers. ... The "varnaH-system" enumerated four varnas. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> VarnaH = innate nature (pravritti) and qualities (gunas or talent). ~ What became of it though is a result of the post Gupta era drift and flounder; it probably started with the decline of this era. ~ The word "caste" is derived from "casta" which is a Portuguese word - meaning, 'purity of descent'. Also, the previous eras and even the pre Gupta era was much different with respect to civic sense, town-planning, etc; our ancients possessed much more knowledge and extremely advanced technology than we moderns, given our linear view of history, are willing to give them credit for.&nbsp;~ Decline of the Gupta era also saw mistranslation of the ancient texts, as well as stratification of society... based on various aspects, including on gender lines.<b><span style="color: #660000;"> |</span></b> Several paths centred around social reformers came about after the decline of the Gupta era... thereby giving an opportunity to various groups of people who were being marginalized in the societal 'churn' (manthan) that came about after the decline of the Gupta era. ~ It is possible that what is now known as Jainism and Buddhism too evolved during this period - to accommodate various groups of people, - i.e. to basically become part of the reform process. An objective assessment also indicates that colonization too was a part of the solution. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Schedule = list. The concept of "outcaste" came about after the decline of the Gupta era, as part of the societal 'churn' (manthan) for influence and power. E.g. certain groups 'stooped to conquer' and successfully excommunicated other (influential) groups, e.g. from the court of kings or minor rulers etc. ~ The former then replaced the latter in position, influence, and so on. ~ Traveling overseas on board ships (i.e. crossing the seas) too was deemed reason enough to be excommunicated. </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ Education and medical facilities were denied, entry to places of worship was barred. Gradually other retrogressive 'customs' came about. Doctors treating the 'marginalized' were excommunicated. In certain parts, women from so-called marginalized groups were barred from covering their upper torso; there are also instances where women from relatively well-off groups (non-marginalized) had to appear bare-torsoed in front of the priestly class, so on and so forth. ~ One will be hard-pressed to find such parallels even in Mlechcha (savage, uncivilized) cultures.]<span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> Satyavati later became the queen of Hastinapura. ~ As for the Matsya kingdom: maybe their insignia or emblem was that of a fish or dolphin. ... Did the matsya-avatar hail from this ancient kingdom ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->In Rajasthan there are many temples of Meenesh, but the first Meenesh temple was in Pushkara, Rajasthan. T</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">he seventh and current "Manu" (honorific for the overseer of a manavantar) - Vaivasvata Manu or Surya (original name: Satyavrata) is also the father of Ikshvaku - the progenitor of the Ikshvaku lineage (also known as: </span><span class="unicode">Aikṣvāka</span><span class="textexposedshow"> lineage) - to which greats like Mandhata, Dilīpa, Bhagiratha, Raghu and Sri Ram belonged. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">~ Satyavrata built specially-designed ships (nao) before the last great flood/deluge (Mahajal Pralay) - as per the advise of the Matsya-Avatar (one-horned fish). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><i>Noukeshwar </i>is at best a title or honorific, meaning - Principal/Chief/Captain of the <i>nao</i>. (Here 'nao' or 'boat' indicates specially-designed-and-equipped-ship.) ~ Whether 'Noukeshwar' has been abbreviated to 'Noah' (due to the passage of time + change in phonetics), and/or<i> </i>whether Satyavrata aka Vaivasvata Manu is also referred to as "Noah" or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours. </i></span><span class="textexposedshow">The Maurya clan is believed to have been an offshoot of the Shakya clan - to which Shri Gautam Buddh belonged. The Shakya clan is in turn believed to be a tributary of the Ikshvaku clan - to which Shri Ram belonged. The Ikshvaku clan is also known as the Raghuvanshi lineage (Raghuvansh or Raghukula) - after Sri Ram's illustrious ancestor, Raghu.</span> ... Sri Ram is known as Raghav (meaning: belonging to the Raghus or Raghuvansh/Raghukula - lineage of Raghu). ~ And since he is considered as the jewel of the Raghu lineage... he is therefore known as Raghupati.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Description of the Stars of S'is'umâra, our Coiling Galaxy: <span style="text-decoration: none;">Sri Vishnu (~ the Maintenance or Stabilizing<i> </i>[cosmic architecture] <i>aspect</i> of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn) is <i>Swastika</i>, the coiled baby dolphin of galaxy: Sishumara. </span>~ With its tail pointing to the end of the row of fixed stars in the sky [dhruva] and with its head bent downwards, it has its body coiled. The [planets of] Prajâpati, Agni, Indra and Dharma are found on the tail with [those of] Dhâtâ and Vidhâtâ at its base. The seven sages [Saptarishi] are situated on its hip. With its body coiling to the right there are as its separate body parts at its northern side the constellations of the fourteen stars [from Abhijit to Punarvasu] that mark the northern course [of the sun] and to the south there are the same number of them [from Pushyâ to Uttarâshâdhâ] marking the southern course. Together the both sides appear like the coiled body of a dolphin. On its back one sees the stars called Ajavîthî and on the belly one sees the 'celestial Ganges' [the series of stars along the full body of the S'is'umâra we know as our Milky Way.] Some imagine this great army of luminaries to be a s'is'umâra [a dolphin] and describe it, concentrated in yoga, as [that what can be seen of] Sri Vishnu (~ the Maintenance/Stabilizing <i>aspect</i> of the impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Absolute OM/Brahmn).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">The right-handed <i>swastika</i> symbol originated in ancient India and is the symbol of the mighty River SarasvatI as well as 'Aryavarsha' - also known as the Sindhu-SarasvatI Sabhyata/Civilization (~ possibly the oldest civilization in the world, and thus the cradle of civilization.) It is also the sign of Sanaatan Dharma (Aadi Dharma). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="textexposedshow">The most common design on the Indus seals is the <i>swastika. </i>~ The Swastika </span>represents the cosmic spinning vortex. ~ In Sanaatan Dharma, the <i>swastika</i> represents the Universe in our own spiral galaxy in the (symbolic) forefinger of Sri Vishnu. ~ This carries most significance in establishing the creation of the Universe and the arms as 'kaalah' or time. [Time is ‘kaalah’ in Sanskrit.]</span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">Swastika is considered to be a mark of auspiciousness and good fortune. Red Swastika (made with red vermilion, prepared with natural ingredients) is the sign of Sanaatan Dharma; it depicts a cross with four arms of equal lengths. The end of each of the arms is bent at a right angle. At times, dots are also added between the arms. The right-facing swastika (Sanskrit: Svastika) in the decorative form is used to evoke sacred force. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The most traditional form of the swastika's symbolization in Sanaatan Dharma is that the symbol represents the <i>purusharthas</i> (~ the eternal, enlightened 'way of life' guided by the <i>purusha-uttama</i> - the Almighty): <i>dharma</i> (that which makes a human a human), <i>artha</i>(wealth), <i>kama</i> (desire, all kinds of desire), and <i>moksha</i>(liberation). All four are needed for a full life. However, two (wealth and desire) are limited and can only give limited joy. They are the two closed arms of the swastika. The other two are unlimited and are the open arms of the swastika. [Purusha-uttama = the greatest of all beings, and refers to the Almighty.]</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="textexposedshow">The term Swastika has been derived from the Sanskrit word "Svastika", which means well-being: "SU" means "good" or "auspicious," "ASTI" means "to be," and "KA" as a suffix. The swastika literally means, "to be good". Alternatively: "swa" is "higher self" (Supersoul or Universal Consciousness), "asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a suffix, so the translation can be interpreted as: "being with higher self". <i>Suasti</i> thus means "well-being." The suffix <i>-ka</i>either forms a diminutive or intensifies the verbal meaning, and <i>suastika</i>might thus be translated literally as "that which is associated with well-being," corresponding to "lucky charm" or "thing that is auspicious." ~ Thus <i>swastika</i> means any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote auspiciousness, good luck or well-being.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span> </span></div></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-51001536122361679732014-02-25T20:39:00.002+05:302014-02-25T21:27:51.859+05:30Been There Bungled That by Paddy Rangappa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y9kmQUhkIc/Uwyy6_SIUaI/AAAAAAAAFYA/aDrjTy46E0c/s1600/Been+There+Bungled+That+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y9kmQUhkIc/Uwyy6_SIUaI/AAAAAAAAFYA/aDrjTy46E0c/s1600/Been+There+Bungled+That+01.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><i>Been There Bungled That</i></b></span>is a fictionalized autobiographical story stretched across <span style="font-weight: normal;">almost</span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> 300 pages. They endeavour to put together snippets and anecdotes from the protagonist Jagannath Srinivasan's life. With a first-person narrative, it is a</span></b> collection of <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">unconnected</span></b><b> </b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">short</span></b> pieces<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> more reminiscent of a blog or column than a book/novel. </span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jagannath Srinivasan, fondly referred to as Jags (not Jughead), drifts through life in benign autopilot... armed with the impressive combo of IIT-IIM degrees.</span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Like mi</span></b>llions of Indians he studied engineering - not out of interest, but because he took the entrance examination and secured admission. Rote learning played the all-important role. Soon the natural progression to Amul country follows - to fortify him with degree #2 (~ while also applying for an MS degree in the US - just in case). Thereupon, he embarks on a rudderless career journey... with carefully worded versions of resume - each expressing his boundless passion for banking, consulting, marketing and advertising. He finally settles for whichever offer comes his way ~ based on herd mentality or peer perception, i.e. whichever is more coveted by others. For example, banks and consulting firms come to campus on day 1, which means they are ranked higher. Even the best marketing jobs are all on day 2.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Highly confused and upwardly mobile, he is easily swayed by things he reads, people he meets, and advice he actively seeks and receives. Except sane ones of course, such as the ones offered by (his father's friend) Dr Sidelinger Wakefield (a professor at Brown University) and later from his wife, Vidya. Both counsel reflection - to discover and identify what <i>he</i> wishes to do. ~ These sorts of advice he instantly disregards - since their source(s) are ignorant of the managerial decision making process - that requires one to start at ground zero, which is data collection. This insight helps Jags to make discerning (in Jags' view) shifts from engineering to consultancy to advertising to marketing to banking - by trimming one to three years on the typical career curve.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is a snippet - Jags' discussion with Dr. Wakefield:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'You're studying engineering now, right?' I nodded. 'Why?'</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Thats easy,' I said. 'I passed the JEE - the Joint Entrance Exam. ... I did badly in the medical college entrance test.'</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'What?! You actually wanted to be a doctor?'</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Of course not,' I said. 'Why do you ask?'</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Because you took the medical college entrance test. You just told me!' The professor was getting agitated and his voice was rising.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Yes, I did,' I replied soothingly. 'But that was only as a back-up. I was not serious.'</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The professor shook his head in bewilderment. 'Ok, so you really wanted to do engineering but just for fun, took the medical college test too. I understand - or at least I think I do...'</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Wakefield is even more puzzled to know that Jags chose his area of specialization based on its relative popularity and the popularity of the institute. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Yes, but it's not just the relative popularity of the specialization and the institute separately. It's the </i>combination<i>that's important. ... It's very complicated,' I said smugly. ('And therefore beyond your comprehension,' I added, but only to myself.)</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'I'm not going to try to follow that,' said Wakefield. ('Exactly,' I said, again to myself.)</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's the bit about a strict professor (Prof. Thampi) and his charming daughter (Vidya) whom he eventually marries - whiff of '3 Idiots'.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>My twopenceworth</u></b><b>:</b> </span>The chapter titles including the chance meeting with Vidya while trying to submit a late assignment: 'Submitting the POM report... and meeting someone' - reveals too much, and dilutes the charm of the following pages. It somewhat interferes with (read: diminishes) the readers' interest.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inside jokes about copywriters, bankers, consultants, brand managers etc pepper the book. There are anecdotes regarding Jags' travails on foreign shores. However, none of them can be called fresh or original. In humour writing, especially one with large dollops of perceptive satire, novelty makes all the difference. It is also advisable to eschew unnecessary meanderings... that alters the flavour and wearies the readers' mind. Reading becomes a chore then. With humour or satire that is a no no.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Using lots of very short chapters creates an impression in the reader of very rapid pace and lots of movement. For some genres (such as thrillers), this accelerated pace is exactly the effect that a reader wants. The same may or may not be applicable to other genres, such as humour or satire. Here the quality of writing makes all the difference. Having longer chapters doesn't quite preclude fast-paced movement, but it does allow for more breathing space and a sense of scope and continuity.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Been There Bungled That</span></i></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> has been compared to Wodehouse... and <i>this</i> piqued my expectations. But after plodding through the frequent and needless winding </span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">of</span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> nearly 300 pages, the content leaves me quite wooden. It neither makes nor leaves an impact. Besides, it is</span></b> Jags narrating the story, talking about himself, or explaining his points of view. The rest of the characters appear quite abrupt.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, the book is genuinely funny in bits and parts; for instance, when Jags' mother wants to have a serious discussion, he coveys it with "So I did the South Indian equivalent of laying down my fork and spoon: I stopped mashing rice with my fingers and gave her my full attention."</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The jacket cover is attractive. The author is observant and a decent raconteur, apart from having a good hand at humour and insightful satire (including a dash of gentle snarkiness). What's missing is some sharp editing to curb the debutant author's prodigal instincts.</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #783f04;">: </span></b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">Been There Bungled That</span></i><span style="color: #134f5c;">/ Author: Paddy Rangappa/ Publisher: Ebury Press, an imprint of Random House India/ Binding: Paperback/ Language: English/ Publishing Date: Nov. 2013/ Genre: Humour/ ISBN-10: 978-8-184-00433-5/ ISBN-13: 9788184004335/ Pages: 300/ Price: INR 250.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #741b47;">Picture</span></u><span style="color: #741b47;">:</span></b><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket cover of <i>Been There Bungled That.</i> Courtesy: randomhouse.</span></span></span></div></div>Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-20037833155696534232014-01-22T22:26:00.003+05:302014-01-25T23:54:07.230+05:30Train To Delhi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGYtlCHfA7I/Ut_4AxeWcuI/AAAAAAAAFXY/WDfd5-Wh12M/s1600/Train+to+Delhi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGYtlCHfA7I/Ut_4AxeWcuI/AAAAAAAAFXY/WDfd5-Wh12M/s1600/Train+to+Delhi.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>A Note on the author:</i> </span>Shiv K. Kumar (born August 16, 1921) is a distinguished poet, novelist, short story writer, playwright, translator, academic and critic. He has published thirteen volumes of poetry, five novels, two collections of short stories, a play and a dozen books on literary criticism. Following stints as a lecturer and as programme officer at the All India Radio, he obtained his doctorate in English Literature from the University of Cambridge (~ here he was also tutored by the influential British critic F.R. Leavis). Kumar has been an academic, teaching British and American literature in India and abroad, for about four decades. In 1978, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL), London. ~ Several of his poems and short stories have been broadcast over the BBC, and published in various widely-read journals, newspapers and magazines - like the <i>New York Times</i>, <i>Poetry Review</i> (London), <i>Western Humanities Review</i>, among others. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1987. In 2001, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to literature. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><b>Train To Delhi</b></i></span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> is portrayed as a "<i>rollicking journey set in Delhi of 1947</i>". [The novel was first published in 1998 as <i>A River with Three Banks</i>.]</span></b><i>&nbsp;</i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><span class="readable">recounts the tale of Gautam Mehta, </span>a journalist in Delhi (<span class="readable">assistant editor of <i>The Challenge</i>) - and </span>the novel's quick-witted protagonist, alongside enameled snuffboxes, and hobson-jobson conversations ~ as India made its tryst with destiny. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mehta arranges a quick divorce from his adulterous wife ~ by <span class="readable">convincing a </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->naïve Bishop and </span>converting to Christianity. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->[However, during the simple ceremony, and before Father Jones sprinkles holy water on his head and shoulders, Gautam is particularly touched by a passage from Joshua in which Moses asks his followers to cross the river Jordan into the land of new promise. "<i>Wasn't he too about to cross over to freedom!</i>" He is also struck by the dignified manner in which the ceremony was conducted - including the bishop's prayer wishing him happiness - nobody was "mumbling incomprehensibly all the time."] ~ T<span class="readable">he Delhi of 1947 is chaotic and restless; despite the proficient Commissioner Thornton at the helm, there is considerable lawlessness. Gautam finds a dead man, and learns that the deceased was </span>in search of his abducted daughter Haseen<span class="readable">a who had been kidnapped in Allahabad, and sold into flesh trade (in Delhi). This disturbs him, especially </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->since he finds a striking resemblance between the deceased, Abdul Rahim, and his own father, Shamlal Mehta, ("the same arched eyebrows, the same chiseled chin and nose.") ~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Later, after sharing a bottle of champagne and some pakoras, followed by a supper of seekh kebab, raita, nan and some fried chicken at the Neel Kamal, his best friend Berry (Birendra Dhawan) suggests availing the services of a lady of the night to celebrate Gautam's divorce. Sensing his hesitancy, Berry playfully teases him as 'Knight-saviour' and 'Gautam Buddha'. ~ Somewhat reluctantly, Gautam negotiates with the pimp... and ends up (at the Bridge Hotel, run in close partnership with Neel Kamal) with a hauntingly beautiful Muslim woman of quiet dignity - Haseena. ~ Gallant Gautam introduces himself and informs her about the deceased man. Thereupon, they embark on an elaborate plan - to help the damsel in distress escape the clutches of the pimp (which the protagonist-hero compares to a concentration camp). With the help of Berry - who by now has adopted Haseena as his sister-in-law - they manage to get away from the villain/pimp (who is in hot pursuit) and are soon on the train to Allahabad to see her family. The rest of the story involves Gautam explaining the situation to his family, meeting Haseena's family (and asking their permission for marriage ~ in the process becoming Saleem Gautam); his one-on-one with the villain/pimp; their attempts to steer clear of the discord and antagonism; </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Gautam attending Gandhiji's meetings and prayers (concluded with a rhythmical hand-clapping and head-swaying to the Ramdhun); Berry's dalliances; snippets of the twilight of the Raj, and so on. Gautam - with the help of Berry's British connections - also arranges for (expedites the process, that is) the immigration papers... of Haseena's family (her mother - Begum Rahim and younger sister - Salma), and then escorts them safely to Wagah. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Haseena, of course, stays back. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><span class="readable">(However, given the disquiet, they all travel up to Wagah under assumed names: Begum Rahim as mataji and Salma as Durga, while Haseena and Gautam sees them off as Seema and Gautam respectively.) </span>~ All in all, the novel ends on a strong note of spiritual universalism, optimism and humanism ~ that of a people having a definite past, their present somewhat disturbed by partition (of the sub-continent)... but that the future is possible.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">Among the secondary cast of characters, Shamlal Mehta (Gautam's father) is relatively well delineated.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ~ After his divorce Gautam moves in with his parents, into their small house at Anand Parvat. His father, a former Arya Samaji, initially assumes a somber expression on learning about Gautam's conversion - for the sake of easy divorce. But finally responds (as an indulgent father) with: "Maybe Christ too was a yogi, a real karma yogi," and then proceeds to argue his point. When Gautam counters, "But Christ died on the cross, nailed and bleeding till the end. Stone-dead he was when they pulled him down." Shamlal responds with, "No, my dear, Christ didn't die on the cross," ..."He was left there unconscious by the Romans as 'stone-dead' and buried later. But now I earnestly believe that being a yogi, he had controlled his organs, had sort of anesthetized himself before they nailed him on the cross. And since he went into a deep Samadhi, a yogic trance, he felt no pain - nor did he really die, so, he rose from his grave after a brief spell of what I think was a kind of subterranean meditation. That was the Resurrection!" ~ Shamlal later tells the Bishop (with a straight face) ~ that he has now come to believe in Christ as another manifestation (avatar) of Vishnu.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable">~ There's the bit about insipid British food - steam-boiled Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs. An Englishman's perennial obsession with weather too is woven in quite neatly.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Lovely weather - isn't it? Not too oppressive.'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Yes, it isn't too sultry.'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'We really don't mind the Indian weather at all,' the major said, ... 'We'd prefer it to the vile British winter - blizzard, mist and smog.'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Yes, I guess.'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>A brief pause.</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'It's a great pity we have to leave India,' Foster resumed, rather wistfully...'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Any other Indians coming?' Berry asked.</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'No. Only my compatriots. All packed up to return home - to London, Liverpool, Glasgow...'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'So it's a sort of farewell party.'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Yes, the play's done.'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'You know, Bob, they did a marvelous job here. I do feel sorry for them. I'm sure they're going to miss this bloody, hot country.'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Miss?' said Bob, '...they're already feeling very low. A poor life awaits them out there. Meagre pensions, no servants, freezing winters - and the fog, the deadly, yellow fog.'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Sounds ghastly,' said Berry. 'Then it was better here in spite of the heat and dust.'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readable"><i>'Any time. One can always beat down the heat with ceiling fans, khus-khus, and a little dust doesn't do you much harm,' Bob said, spraying himself with some perfume.'</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><u>My twopenceworth</u>:</b></span> Written with the Partition (which was a rather complex phenomenon) as the temporal setting, the author does try to portray a realistic picture of Allahabad and Delhi of that era. He has also attempted to weave the various aspects of partition (cultural, historical, spiritual, emotional, economic, and so on)... apart from the political/geographic division of the country into the texture of the novel. The Gautam-Haseena track provides a strong romantic tinge/motif through the story - though the eponymous train journey probably is an allegorical one, since in the book it takes up all of ten pages. <span class="readable">The novel is more of a novella... and quite crisp; editing is decent, the language is simple and easy to understand, and so the story rolls along quite well, but the narrative sometimes </span>meanders on. Gautam's character is reasonably well-etched, however, there is scope for improvement; the other central character, Haseena, comes across as uni-dimensional - so, plenty of space for improvement here as well; t<span class="readable">he secondary characters too could have done with some more exploration, fleshing-out and insight ~ to move the story along more succulently and cohesively. Maybe a better mix of drama, history and romance coupled with a sustained flow of satire and comic relief could have turned a great story into a great read.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><u><span style="color: #783f04;">Details of the book</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #783f04;">: </span></b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Train To Delhi</i>/ Author: Shiv K. Kumar/ Publisher: Vintage Classics, an imprint of Random House India/ Binding: Paperback/ Language: English/ Publishing Date: 1998, 2013/ Genre: Fiction/ ISBN-10: 978-81-8400-396-3/ ISBN-13: 9788184003963/ Pages: Approx 250/ Price: INR 299.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: x-small;"> <b><u><span style="color: #741b47;">Picture</span></u><span style="color: #741b47;">:</span></b><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">The book jacket cover of <i>Train To Delhi.</i> Courtesy: randomhouse.</span></span></div></div>Roshmi Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514206548071810133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217471848749520142.post-73312389611514751502013-12-31T23:15:00.004+05:302014-02-23T22:08:00.891+05:30Notes on Sri Krishn, the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas'), Indus Seals, etc.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent">[There has never been an Aryan Invasion. ~ A humble endeavour: Notes on Sri Krishn, the Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas'), etc ~ <i>do read the post in its entirety... to grasp its scope et al</i>.]</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Bhagavad</span> comes from Bhagavan (honorific for Ishvara/Ishvari) - 'the Eternal One'. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Gita</span> comes from <i>Geet</i> or <i>Geeta</i> - meaning "song". ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Therefore, the Bhagavad-Gita means, the song of the Eternal One.<i> </i>In other words: the Song of the Primordial</span>. Srimad is honorific. [~ The Sanskrit language is both <span class="textexposedshow">erudite and mellifluous. With correct diction and timbre/tonal quality (which comes with practice, and practice makes perfect), it resonates; one can (then) even call it <i>song</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">Krishn<span class="ital-inline"> speaks in sublime metaphors, allegories, similies, and so on. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="ital-inline">Therefore, literal translations or over-simplification is misleading. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="text">BG 10.32: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>vādaḥ pravadatām aham</i></span> || ~ "I am logic of the logician." <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>The Sanskrit language is not meant to be spoken from the tongue or even the voice-box (larynx), instead the words should emerge from within - like a perennial fountain or stream, thereupon it takes on a resonating quality. This is the essence of the Sanskrit language. ~ </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="style2"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is said to have invented Sanskrit, known as the mother of all languages, of scriptures and scholarship.</span></span> The Goddess is also revered as the mother of the Vedas and as the mother of the Indian Civilization/Indus-Sarasvati Civilization/'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Aryavarsha</span>' (~ abode of the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Arya</i></span> people; land of the noble ones; Arya = noble, noble-natured or people who followed a pattern of life based on noble values. Varsha = continent, in Sanskrit. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The right-handed <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>swastika</i></span> symbol originated in ancient India and is the symbol of the mighty River SarasvatI as well as 'Aryavarsha' - also known as the Sindhu-SarasvatI Sabhyata/Civilization (~ possibly the oldest civilization in the world, and thus the cradle of civilization.) It is also the sign of Sanaatan Dharma. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i> <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> Do refer the relevant passages on Aryavarsha, Swastika and the etymology of </i>"<i>Hindu</i>"<i> and </i>"<i>India</i>".</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">The so-called </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">'Aryan blitzkrieg' or 'Aryan Invasion theory' is fictitious. </span>It never happened. ~ When the British archaeologist (Wheeler) discovered a dozen skeletons, he propounded a theory about the final massacre by 'marauding invaders' that put an end to the Indus civilization. When an Indian scholar told him of <i>Hariyuppa</i> (or "Hariyupiyah") being mentioned in the Rig Veda, he took it to mean Harappa. ~ And since a fort was known as <i>pur</i>, and Indra (possibly a 'title' for the king/ruler/chief of the ancient 'Deva' people) was known as <i>Purandhara</i> or destroyer of forts, it all fitted neatly. After all, weren't the Indus cities among the most fortified? ~ Archaeologists are known to stumble, but the kind of knocking that the 'Aryan Invasion theory' has taken has few parallels. There are still many misconceptions about this culture that has resulted from the theoretical and cultural biases of the earliest excavators. One other misconception is that the Indus urban society was the result of colonization from Mesopotamia to the west (in modern Iraq).<span class="textexposedshow"> </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The ancient Indus people couldn't have copied their town-planning from Egypt and Mesopotamia because in those civilizations the roads meandered like village streets. Nor was the writing similar to Sumer's (Sumerian Civilization - ancient Iraq, etc) cuneiform or the Egyptian (ancient<b> </b>Miṣr) hieroglyphics. The ancient Indus people had their own distinctive style. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The greatness of the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization (the Sindhu-Sarasvati Sabhyata or 'Aryavarsha') can be attributed to ancient Indian genius (~ and trade was the driving force/factor.)</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">The term <span style="color: #4c1130;">Swastika</span> has been derived from the Sanskrit word "Svastika", which means well-being: "SU" means "good" or "auspicious," "ASTI" means "to be," and "KA" as a suffix. The swastika literally means, "to be good". Alternatively: "swa" is "higher self" (Supersoul), "asti" meaning "being", and "ka" as a suffix, so the translation can be interpreted as: "being with higher self". <i>Suasti</i> thus means "well-being." The suffix <i>-ka</i>either forms a diminutive or intensifies the verbal meaning, and <i>suastika</i>might thus be translated literally as "that which is associated with well-being," corresponding to "lucky charm" or "thing that is auspicious." <span style="color: #4c1130;">Thus <i>swastika</i> means any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote auspiciousness, good luck or well-being</span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Probably the most common design on the Indus seals is the <i>swastika. </i></span></span></span>The Swastika </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">represents the cosmic spinning vortex. ~ In Sanaatan Dharma, the <i>swastika</i>represents the Universe in our own spiral galaxy in the forefinger of the Cosmic Entity. This carries most significance in establishing the creation of the Universe and the arms as 'kaalah' or time. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">union of Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul) with the Param-atma (the Higher Self or Supersoul) is called <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Sanaatan Dharma</i></span>; in other words: connecting (yog/sanjog) with the Higher Self ~ seeking communion (yog/sanjog) with the Universal Consciousness (Brahmn or Param-atma; Cosmic Light or Light Divine). This results in Self-realization</span> ~ </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">leading to the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy of self-realization: <i>Sat-cit-ānanda</i>.</span><span class="textexposedshow"> This 'way of life' is performative and (therefore) is to be experienced. <span style="color: #351c75;">Thus, the central concepts of dharma and karm-yog eludes translation.</span> <span style="color: #351c75;">[~ The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being - the highest authority of the universe - is the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>manifestation</i></span> of the impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn (Universal Consciousness or Cosmic Light or Light Divine). Brahmn is OM or AUM. OM is <i>also</i> regarded as </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i> - pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad - the sound of the universe itself; </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">*Bhairava = the Primordial Sound (vak or vani). </span>[Here is Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Arup tomar Bani</span>': </span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjVlAi_QowA"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></span></a></b></span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">. He has incorporated it into our national anthem too.] OM or AUM - is very auspicious</span>; the Cosmic Entity is </span><i>Omswaroop</i>, <span style="color: #351c75;">manifestation of Brahmn - OM or AUM. [For purposes of comprehension: e.g. Sri Krishn is a manifestation/transcendental avatar of the Cosmic Entity; he also possesses all 16 qualities of a <i>Purna Avatar</i> - one in whom divinity is manifested fully; therefore, he is Omswaroop;</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"> the words emanating from his mouth is thus Bhairava/Primordial sound or pranava naad/pranavah/Omkara.] </span>~ <span style="color: #351c75;">Thus, <span style="color: #4c1130;">Advaita</span> (monism), <span style="color: #4c1130;">Dvaita</span> (dualism) and <span style="color: #4c1130;">Astika</span> (theism). </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;">Unlike the rigorous monism (Advaita) of the Upanishads, the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita also integrates dualism (Dvaita) and theism (āstika). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The Swastika is part of Buddhism and Jainism as well.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Bhairava/Primordial sound or </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;">pranava naad/pranavah/Omkara probably was also known as 'daiva vani'. While 'aakash vani' perhaps was related to celestial events and/or the constellation Orion. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">BG 10.35: <span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i>|| </i>~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa" [November-December] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span><i> </i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or <i>lunar mansion</i> - as used in Vedic<span style="color: #351c75;"> astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known as <i>Kaalpurush</i>, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient; kaal or kaalah <span style="color: #4c1130;">= time</span>). </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation as Mriga/Mṛga (The Deer). ~ The term Mṛgaśira is a composite of two Sanskrit words, <i>mṛga</i>meaning animal (can also mean: deer) and <i>śira</i> meaning head or precisely, the top of the head. [~ The Indus 'Pasupati Seal' probably has something to do with this. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Our ancients seem to have been very familiar with the workings of the universe/cosmos.]</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">*BG 10.35: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham</span></i> || ~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa" [November-December] ~ Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kalabhairava Jayanti) falls on Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa Aṣṭamī of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa (also spelled Mṛgaśira/Mrigashīrsha ~ November-December). On this day it is said that Lord Rudra-Śiva appeared on earth in the manifestation (avatāra) as Śrī Kālabhairava. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Kāla or kaalah = time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>- pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM - is very auspicious. The impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn is Cosmic Light or Light Divine (divine effulgence). The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is <i>Omswaroop</i> - manifestation of OM or AUM. (<i>Refer the note on Rudra-Siva</i>.)</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">The right-facing swastika (Sanskrit: Svastika) in the decorative form is used to evoke sacred force. ~ Shri Ganesh has the Swastika on his palm.&nbsp;<span style="color: #4c1130;">The swastika is at times considered a symbolic representation of Shri Ganesh (Vignesh or Vighna-Vinashak - the remover of obstacles) and is hence offered first offerings in every <i>puja</i>.</span> The swastika is made with red vermilion (prepared with natural ingredients) during rituals. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Shri </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Ganesh - represents <i>a set of qualities</i>:</span> great retention power or vast intelligence (as symbolized by the elephant head - implying elephant's memory). The elephant-head: represents calm disposition, intelligence, perceptiveness, knowledge and wisdom. </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[The light of wisdom = <i>Surya-Kotti Samaprabha</i>; as radiant as a million Suns.] The big head</span> = think big. The small eyes = concentration. The small mouth and the bent trunk (Vakra-Tunndda) = less noise, more efficiency (complete opposite of 'empty vessels makes the most noise'). The bent trunk indicates: one who is not given to boasting or talking unnecessarily; in other words: non-ignorant. The big elephant ears = great listening ability ('listening', and not merely 'hearing'). </span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The single tusk = retaining the good and discarding the rest. Also: non-extravagant. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The big body (Maha-Kaaya) = immense strength: to stop all obstacles - in the path of good deeds or actions. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The large stomach = not constricted; <i>digests</i> or accepts everything (all that life has to offer) without being affected. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The swift <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>mooshika-vahana</i></span>(the 'mooshika' or the <i>mouse</i> as 'vehicle') - represents: <i>swiftness</i>(obviously), but a <i>mooshika</i> finds its way through all kinds of terrains and tears down all sorts of obstacles (vighn) - with its sharp teeth. And since the <i>mooshika</i> is his 'vaahan' or vehicle - the latter remains under control and cannot take Shri Ganesh for a ride. In other words: lack of negative greed or avoidable desire. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The <i>parasu</i> or axe = to strike down all obstacles in the path of good/positive/constructive deeds. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The rope + lotus = to pull you closer to the goal + to pull you away from negative aspects, negative thinking, etc. [A lotus: grows in muddy water yet remains untouched by it (<i>refer the relevant passages</i>.)] </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The palm in <i>abhaya mudra = </i>blessings + reassurance. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">The tasty <i>Modakas</i> = the rewards/fruition of one's single-minded efforts [karm-yog.] </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">All that Shri Ganesh symbolizes can achieve any goal or purpose: <i>Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa</i>. [~ When one prays to Shri Ganesh, one is essentially praying to be bestowed with all these traits or qualities so as to be able to surmount all odds and impediments and complete a good deed or task successfully - always (</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Sarvadaa)</span>. Hence, Shri Ganesh is worshiped <i>before</i> the commencement of any auspicious task. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Gan + esh = Ganesh. 'Gan' can indicate people (gana) or even good traits (guna). 'Esh' = the best of or the master of. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> Lord Buddha is depicted with large ears, while the similarity between Sri Ganesh and the Laughing Buddha is remarkable. <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati is also a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography.]</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ~ And, all this should help us understand who the Sri Ganesh who assisted Maharshi Vedavyasa to compile the 'Mahabharata' (originally titled: 'Jaya' - Victory) was. Sri Ganesh and <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati are non-different. [</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Vignesh or Vighna-Vinashak (the remover of obstacles) and Varadey Kaamarupinee (the fulfiller of wishes, Destiny or 'Lady Luck') are non-different.]</span> </span></span></span></span>Sri Ganesh is not a physical 'son' of Goddess Parvati. 'Gauri-tanaya' can also mean manifestation, personification or embodiment. Goddess Parvati and Goddess Sarasvati (the river goddess) are transcendental avatars of Goddess Adi Shakti - the Cosmic Entity. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Goddess Parvati's daughter is also named Sarasvati - but she is a namesake.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goddess Parvati (<i>Devi</i> Durga) and Goddess Sarasvati (the river goddess) are non-different. Here is the <i>Sharada Maa Bhajan</i> in Raag Bhairavi: <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6X5IDI7SA4"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>link</b></span></a></i>.&nbsp;</span></span></span> There is an Indus seal depicting the </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span>"Ashta-Matrika" or Ashta-Matara - Eight female Divinities. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span><span>This seal depicts a goddess (standing in the arch of a peepal tree), wearing a headdress of bullhorns, with bangles on both arms; a devotee is kneeling before her. An animal, most likely a large ram, is facing her. Seven figures, wearing long dresses and bangles on their arms, are moving in a procession before her. ~ Very likely, the seven figures represent the "Sapta Matrikas" or the seven female Divinities. The central female figure is <i>Devi</i> Parvati (popularly known as Goddess Durga) ~ Together, they constitute the "Asta Matrikas" or the eight female Divinities. Some Indus glyphs are also seen.&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Goddess Adi Shakti possesses the power of the cosmic phenomenon of Creation, and hence She is Brahma - the Creator. (<i>Refer the Devi Mahatmyam stotra-s</i>.) The River SarasvatI can (thus) also be referred to as Brahm-putri. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Brhm = wisdom, enlightenment; eternal knowledge - <i>para vidya</i>. Here, putri = manifestation, personification or embodiment.] Hence, Goddess SarasvatI - the river goddess - is also known as Brahmi or Brahmani ~ <i>manifestation</i> of Brhm. She is wisdom personified - </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->the symbol of true/eternal/timeless knowledge - <i>para vidya</i>. ~ <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati represents intelligence, wisdom, consciousness, cosmic knowledge, creativity, education, culture, enlightenment, music, the arts, eloquence (persuasion/<span class="text"> vāk)</span> and so on. The goddess of knowledge and arts represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. [Wisdom or enlightenment has no form by itself.] </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Sri Hayagriva [Haya = horse, griva = jaw] is the male equivalent of <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati... and may be considered as Brahm</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">-putra. [Goddess Sarasvati is a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography. She is also worshipped in Bali and Japan.]</span> </span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>.......................................................... </b></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ The SarasvatI River is an important river goddess in the Rig Ved ~ whose banks served as fertile soil for the growth of&nbsp;ancient Vedic&nbsp;culture. </span>In the Rig Veda, the SarasvatI is described with all </span></span><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #4c1130;">the grandeur of a mighty and a very large river</span>. ~ She is </span>called 'the best of the rivers' (naditama). It seems to have been a great river with perennial water. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Along the banks of the Sarasvati and the adjoining river basins </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->lived our enlightened ancestors who developed a unique world-view blending material prosperity with spirituality and a scientific temper (knowledge, innovation and creativity). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Spiritualism (not to be misconstrued for ritualism or religiofication) and contentment constituted the core of the accepted value system. The</span></span><span class="textexposedshow"> famous <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Pancha-janah</i></span> (the five peoples), namely, the Purus, Anus, Druhyus, Yadus and Tursvasas (</span><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow">descendents of Raja Yayati) </span></span>lived in the Sarasvati Valley before moving onto different places in various directions. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">~ Yayati hailed from a Chandravanshi (lunar lineage/clan) i.e. moon-flag-bearing clan. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->In the Rig Veda, the Anus are repeatedly identified with the ParuSNI river (Ravi), the central river of the Punjab, and the Purus (also known as the "Bharatas") are identified with the SarasvatI. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Raja Yayati, as we know, did away with primogeniture to crown his youngest-born, Puru, as the heir to his "existing" kingdom ~ i.e. the areas he ruled <i>before </i>he underwent stem-cell therapy. Thus, Puru ruled his kingdom in the Gangetic plain. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i></span> || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [Here, 'Ganga' is a reference to India.] </span>~ While, the other sons of Yayati - Yadu, Turvasu, Anu and Druhyu - subsequently settled </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->in the "newer" areas (~ the ones Raja Yayati brought under his rule - during his "borrowed youth" ~ i.e. <i>after</i> his stem cell therapy.) ~ Puru, thus became the progenitor of the "Puruvansh" (also known as the "Bharatvansh"); and so his heirs came to be known as the "Bharatas". ~ The Pandavas and the Kauravas were Purus (or Bharatas). King Porus (Puru/Paurava/Parvateshvar) too hailed from the Puruvansh (Pauravas). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ The all-conquering Alexander's career pretty much came to a halt... after his brief encounter with this mighty king of the Indus region. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Krishn, on the other hand, was a Chandravanshi (lunar lineage/clan) - moon-flag-bearing Yadu: more precisely a Shurasena Yadu (Megasthenes' <i>Sourasenoi</i>) ~ a branch of the Yadu clan/kula. Therefore, the Shuracena Yadus can be identified with the ancient clan/lineage of Harikula or Harivansh. T</span><span class="textexposedshow">he Sarakenoi or Saraceni (late Latin <i>Saracēnus </i>or late Greek <i>Sarakēnos</i>) could actually be the Shuracena Yadus, a<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">part from the Vrishnis, that is. (Vasudev Krishn, the Lord of Mathura and Dvarka, is also known as Varshneya). </span><b>|</b><b> </b></span>T</span><span class="textexposedshow">he Persians, on the other hand, can be fully identifiable with the Anus - descendents of Yayati's son, Anu, the particular Dasas (non-Purus) of the Rig Veda. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->A major Persian clan which is not named in the Rig Veda, but appears as a prominent Anu clan/kula in the Puranas and the epics is the Madrakas (also known as: Madras or Medes or Madai). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->[Madri hailed from this clan.] ~ The name Anu or Anava for the Persians appears to have survived even in later times: the country and the people in the very heart of Avestan land, to the immediate north of the Hamun-i Hilmand, were known, as late as Greek times, as the Anauon or Anauoi<b>. <span style="color: #660000;">| </span></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Yayati made Turvasu the ruler of the far western regions. The descendants of Turvasu were known as Turvasus, who founded Turvaski. Even the Tusharas </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->(Tukharas, Tócharoi) are believed to be descendents of Turvasu. The Tushara country mentioned in the Mahabharata could be Turkmenistan, now a Central Asian Republic and/or the Turkistan of Afghanistan. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"> As for Druhyu, he and his descendents (the Druhyus) very likely settled in the areas that came under ancient Uruk (modern Iraq)... and perhaps had something to do with the Sumerian Civilization. [Devayani was the ancestress of the Yadus and Turvasus, while Sharmishtha was the ancestress of the Purus, Anus and Druhyus.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">The seven greatest capital cities of the Rama Empire/civilization were known in classical texts as The Seven Rishi Cities. Rishi (Sanskrit: ṛṣI) signifies enlightenment, wisdom and knowledge. ... So, were these Seven Rishi Cities knowledge hubs or thinking hub? </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Priest-Kings (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">"Great Teachers" or "Masters") </span>who governed the cities were essentially Brahmana statesmen. [Brahmana implies erudition; can also be interpreted as enlightened persons with a broader view or outlook. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Some of them belonged to the benevolent aristocracy of the Rama civilization. Today they are generally called "Priest-Kings". They were apparently men whose mental powers/intellect were of a degree that would seem incredible to most moderns. (Even Chanakya can be called a Brahmana statesman.)</span>] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">Ayodhya = unconquerable or eternal. "Ayodhya" comes from the root word "yudh" meaning "not to be fought". Ikshvaku or Ikhaku or Ikkhaku; </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Skt. Ifahvaku; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Pali: OjcTcaka, Okkaka. <span style="color: #660000;"><b> |</b></span> </span>Ikshvaku (son of Vaivasvata Manu - the 7th and current Manu) is the founder/progenitor of the Ikshvaku (or <span class="unicode">Aikṣvāka</span>) lineage - to which greats like Mandhata, Dilīpa, Bhagiratha, Raghu and Shri Ram belonged. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The Rama Empire or the Ikshvaku dynasty/empire encompassed wide swathes of land, culture and 'way of life'. [</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Akkadian may be a variant of Ikshvaku.] </span></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ And, from what we can gather, the Maurya clan is believed to have been an offshoot of the Shakya clan - to which Shri Gautam Buddh belonged. The Shakya clan is in turn believed to be a tributary of the Ikshvaku clan - to which Shri Ram belonged. The </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Ikshvaku clan is also known as the Raghuvanshi lineage/Raghuvansh or Raghukula - after one of Shri Ram's illustrious ancestors, Raghu. </span><span class="textexposedshow">The fabled Buddhist land or mythical kingdom of Shambhala is believed to have been the ashram/abode of Vamana ~ the seventh and current "Manu" - Vaivasvata Manu (also known as Surya and the father of Ikshvaku - the progenitor of the Ikshvaku lineage). ~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Born to Saranya and Vivasvat, his original name is Satyavrata. He saved humanity from the (previous) great flood/deluge (Mahajal Pralay) - by building specially-designed ships (<i>nao</i>) - as per the advise of the Matsya-Avatar. <i>Noukeshwar </i>is at best a <i>title</i> and means - Principal/Chief/Captain of the <i>nao</i>. (Here 'nao' or 'boat' indicates specially-designed-and-equipped-ship.) ~ Whether 'Noukeshwar' has been abbreviated/altered to 'Noah' (due to the passage of time + change in phonetics), and/or<i> </i>whether Satyavrat aka Vaivasvata Manu is also referred to as "Noah" or not ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span>The </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->'Harappan' or 'Indus-Sarasvati' civilization is a phase (marked by the rise, intensification, diversification and subsequent evolution of an urban process) within the much earlier, more extensive and more durable Vedic Civilization that still continues. </span><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="textexposedshow">The material and spiritual benefits the river SarasvatI brought to the people is immense. </span>In the Rig Vedic times, it was a mighty river flowing from the mountains to the sea (giribhyah asamudrat). </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The abundance and tremendous force of its water had an enchanting impact on the minds of the poets who repeatedly described it as: </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->'abounding in waters' - </span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>maho-arnah</i>;<i> </i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->'flowing rapidly'<i> - </i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>pra-sasre</i></i>;<i><i> </i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->'moving fautlessly'<i><i> - </i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>akuvari</i></i></i>;<i><i><i> </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->'possessing unlimited strength'<i><i><i> - </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->yasyah amah ananto</i></i></i>;<i><i><i> </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->'roaring'<i><i><i> - </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->charati roruvat</i></i></i>,<i><i><i> </i></i></i>and<i><i><i> </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->'fierce'<i><i><i> - </i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->ghora.</i></i></i></span><span class="textexposedshow"><i><i><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> </i></i></i>Thus, the realistic picture in the Rig Veda is that of a mighty and highly glorified river named SarasvatI descending from the Himalayas.</span><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i><i><i> ~ </i></i></i>The river disappeared at a place called Vinasana (literally 'disappearance'), though many believe it still flows below the ground.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Here is Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Ogo Nadi Apon Bege</span>':</span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEmjzBMBR-k"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>link</i></span></b></a><span style="color: #351c75;">.]</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The River SarasvatI is described as 'the purest of all rivers' (nadinam suchiryati) and<i> </i>'auspicious'. ~ Nahushas, descendents of Nahusha, on whom the Sarasvati had poured her grace and blessings. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Yayati was son of king Nahusha.] </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pancha-janah (the five peoples), that is, Anus, Druhyus, Yadus, Turvasas and Purus, whose welfare the Sarasvati had increased. (<i>refer previous paragraph</i>.) ~ The material and spiritual benefits the River SarasvatI brought to the people is reflected in several epithets attributed to her, for example: 'rich in grains' (Vajinivati);<i> </i>'strong in wealth and power' (vajeshu vajini) and<i> </i>'promoter of the welfare of the five peoples' (panchajata vardhayanti). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> While </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Panis, the 'churlish - </span><span style="font-size: small;">thinking only of themselves' whom the Sarasvati consumed; Paravatas, who were destroyed by the Sarasvati, and Brisyas, whom the Sarasvati rooted out. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The Indus Unicorn Seals depict a one-horned horse. [One-horned = ekashringa. Even Sri Ganesh is depicted with a single tusk.] It is <i>imagery</i> - to denote rarity or uniqueness. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Cosmic Entity is <i>vishama </i>(unequaled); <i>atulah</i> (incomparable); <i>ekah</i> (the one); <i>naikah</i> (the many); <i>ekaatmaa</i> (the one self); <i>asankhyeyah</i> (with countless names and forms); <i>shoorah-veerah</i> (the valiant); <i>vikramee</i> (the most daring); <i>saattvikah</i> (one who is full of <i>saatvic</i> or noble traits and qualities); <i>kartaa</i> (the doer); <i>maargah</i> (the path); <i>neyah</i> (the guide); <i>k</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>eshavah</i> (one whose rays illumine the cosmos, and one who is the three: <i>kah</i> Brahma, <i>ah</i> Vishnu and <i>Isa</i>Shiva-Rudra); </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>vishvam</i> (one who is the universe); </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>Vishvaroopa </i>(one whose body/form is the Universe - the Universal Form - the Viraat-roop); <i>Vishvaatma </i>(Soul of the Universe - guiding spirit); <i>vanamaalee </i>(one who wears a garland of forest flowers); <i>sragvee</i> (one who always wears a garland of undecaying flowers) and <i>Mayur </i>(the Lord Who Has A Peacock Feathered-Crest). All of which is applicable to Krishn as well. [The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is also: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><i>aadidevah</i> (the first devah); <i>mahaadevah</i> (the great devah); <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>deveshah</i> (the Lord of all devas) and </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>adhaataa</i> (above whom there is no other).] ~ However, a closer look at the unicorn seals reveals a body reminiscent of a horse as well as that of a cow. So, the unicorn could be denoting <i>Devi</i> Sarasvati too - </span><span style="font-size: small;">Varadey Kaamarupinee or kamadhenu (the fulfiller of wishes, Destiny or 'Lady Luck'). </span><span style="font-size: small;">~ Rivers and cows are often poetically correlated in the Rig Veda. <span class="text">BG 10.28: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>dhenūnām asmi kāmadhuk</i></span> || ~ "among cows I am the surabhi" (also known as <i>kamadhenu</i> - the "wish-fulfilling cow" ~ possibly a <i>metaphor</i> for prosperity, luck, etc.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Indus seal depicting a three-headed composite animal figure is the seal of Vasudev Krishn - the Lord of Dvarka. The three-heads are: bull (Vrishabha), unicorn (ekashringa horse) and antelope (</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">mṛga)</span></span></span></span>. The symbolism associated with the <i>unicorn</i>: rarity and uniqueness; <i>bull</i>: i<span class="text">n Sanaatan Dharmic thought, dharma/justice is denoted by the bull (Vṛṣabha). Vrisha Uttamam means Supreme Judge; </span>Vrishaakritih = dharma personified<span class="text">. Antelope: deer. Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira): the 5th nakṣatra or <i>lunar mansion</i> - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient). </span>The Rig Veda refers to the Orion Constellation as Mriga (The Deer). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Indus glyphs also indicate matsya and kurma, besides other symbols such as: peepal tree, peepal leaves, crocodile, parasu, chakra, peacock, eagle, conch-shell, arrow and Swastika.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Indus </span>(River Sindhu), on the other hand, issues from a lion's mouth. Hence this river is called <i>Sinh ka bab ~</i> the lion's gate or mouth. ~ The once-mighty River Indus, it is said, originates from the mouth of a lion (<i>Senge Khabab </i>or "Lion's Mouth")<i> </i>- a perennial spring - in Tibet. (Possibly a mountain snout shaped like a lion's mouth.) Thus, it is also called <i>Sengge Tsangpo</i> or 'Lion River'. This river is a common lifeline, and symbolically binds the people of more than one nation. Few rivers in the world flow through as stunning a landscape as the Sindhu (River Indus). It flow</span><span class="textexposedshow">s through plains, villages, hamlets and towns, as well as by valleys, gorges and peaks of countless hues. </span>[Sindhu is Sanskrit for the River Indus. "Sindhu" means <i>river,</i> <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit.] </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">BG 10.24: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and of bodies of water I am the ocean." ~ "Hindu" is simply the variant of Sindhu (~ the mighty River Indus, perhaps the largest of all rivers in the world after the Nile - Sanskrit: Nilah or Neel.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">&nbsp;</span></b></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tibet is 'Tripishtaka' or 'Trivistaka' in Sanskrit, meaning: the land of the Devas (an ancient clan or people) to the north of the Himalayas. ~ So, was Tibet </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Tripishtaka or 'Trivistaka) part of the ancient Himalayan kingdom ~ ruled over by Goddess Parvati's father, </span><span style="font-size: small;">Himavat (also known as Himavant - <span style="color: #4c1130;">the </span><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">ruler</span> of the Himalaya kingdom of ancient India and <span style="color: #4c1130;">the personification</span> of the Himalayan mountains</i>)? ... And <i>this</i> perhaps explains why Goddess Parvati is <i>also</i> known as 'Himalaya-putri'. [Putri = daughter. Can also be interpreted as personification, manifestation or embodiment.] BG 10.25: || <span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sthāvarāṇāḿ himālayaḥ</i></span> || ~ "</span><span class="text">and of immovable things I am the Himalayas." <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The image of India is in the image of Goddess Parvati (popularly known as Goddess Durga.) <span style="color: #4c1130;">She <i>is</i> Rudra-Siva</span>. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.23: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i></span> || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-<span class="text">Śiva</span>] </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">~ There are eleven Rudras, of whom Rudra-Siva, is preeminent ~ Goddess Parvati/Durga Herself.</span> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Rudra-Siva is also an honorific - for the manifestations or transcendental avatars of the Cosmic Entity (Goddess Adi Shakti) - due to their karm and contribution. Goddess Adi Shakti is <i>also</i> Rudra-Siva -&nbsp;since she possess the power of the cosmic phenomenon of dissolution; therefore, She is Nataraj.</span> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>The <i>jata</i> (dredlocks) represent the Sivaliks - part of the Himalayan ranges. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.25: || <span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sthāvarāṇāḿ himālayaḥ</i></span> || ~ "</span><span class="text">and of immovable things I am the Himalayas." T</span></span>he gushing Ganga emerges from these mountains through the snout known as Gomukh. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i></span> || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." </span></span>The tiger-skin represents her valiant nature; it could also be an allegory for the River Indus. (<i>refer the previous paragraph</i>.) The smurf-blue colour - <i>refer </i>'<i>Meghavarnam</i>'. Trishul could be a reference to a group of three Himalayan mountain peaks. Or it could be an allegory for the three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Sarasvati. Or both. [</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="text">The confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the Sarasvati is known as Triveni Sangam or Prayag.</span></span> Triveni and Trishul; tri = three.] The crescent moon represents lunar mansion. For the crescent moon affixed to the <i>jata</i> of Rudra-Siva - we have to consider </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.35: <span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham</span> </i></span><span class="text"><i>|| </i>~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December]". ~<i> </i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">Kālabhairava Aṣṭamī (or Kalabhairava Jayanti) falls on Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa Aṣṭamī of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa (also spelled Mṛgaśira/Mrigashīrsha ~ November-December).</span><i> </i><i>On this day it is said that Lord Rudra-Śiva appeared on earth in the manifestation (avatāra) as Śrī Kālabhairava</i>.<i> <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </i>Sri = respectful honorific. Kāla or kaalah = time; Bhairava = the Primordial Sound, the <i>Shabda Brahmn</i>- pranavah/Omkara/pranava naad, the sound of the universe itself; OM or AUM - is very auspicious. The Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Omswaroop</i></span> - manifestation of OM or AUM. (<i>Also refer the note on Rudra-Siva</i>.)<i> </i><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span><i> </i></span>Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira): </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">the 5th nakṣatra or <i>lunar mansion</i> - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient). </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">~ The first two <i>carana/pada</i>(quarters) of this nakṣatra are part of Vṛṣabha Rāśi or Taurus (bull). [In Sanaatan Dharmic thought, dharma/justice is denoted by the bull (</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">Vṛṣabha)</span></span></span></span>. Vrisha Uttamam means Supreme Judge. The two Indus Yogi Seals - depicting two figures seated in a yogic posture and wearing a headdress of bull-horn, represent Vrisha Uttamam - the Supreme Judge.] The latter half of this star belongs to Mithuna Rāśi (Gemini). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>| </b></span>Gemini - the twins, but that is not literal. ~ This should also help us understand what the syncretic form of Rudra-Siva and Shakti is all about. Rudra-Siva and Shakti are non-different. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Nestled amidst the Himalayas are the Kalasha or Kalash people. ... And t</span>hough they are thought to be descendents of Alexander’s army ~ due to their distinct appearance, customs, language and 'way of life', yet, even a cursory study of their culture indicates otherwise. [No wonder Goddess Parvati/Durga is referred to as 'Gauri' - the radiant one.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Kalasha are agro-pastoral people who live&nbsp;in tune with nature, surrounded by lush green fields and natural springs. Their houses are constructed on solid stone foundation, but the walls are made of wooden planks - fashioned out of the Deodar tree. [Deodar is anglicized. In Sanskrit, it is known as devadāru, which means "wood of the devas", a compound of deva (very likely, the ancient Deva people) and dāru (wood, etym. tree).] ~ They adhere to a tradition based on ancestor worship, and believe in a single, creator God, though different Kalasha places of worship are incorrectly understood to be places of worship for separate and distinct Kalasha deities. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The Kalash do not have any routine daily prayers. They pray whenever they initiate any activities like harvesting, ploughing and construction + whenever the favour and honour of that single, creative God is needed. Most prayers are offered during Kalasha festivities. [Indrain is probably an altar dedicated to and/or named after Indra - a 'title' for the Ruler/King/Chief of the ancient Deva people. Maybe the 'Indra' was a chieftain under Himavat/Himavant - the <i>ruler of the Himalaya kingdom of ancient India</i>.] ~ The Kalash people worship 'Mahandeo' ~ possibly a variant of 'Mahadev'. [Mahadev is a reference to Rudra-Siva ~ which would mean Goddess Parvati herself. ~ She is Kailashpati (Ruler/Chief of Kailash) as well as Shambhu Nath - the Ruler (Nath) and Guardian of Shambhala ~ <span class="blue"><span class="text">also considered to be the </span><i><span class="text">real</span></i> Haridvar, the actual Manas Sarovara, Prayag, Kailash and Rishikesh or 'Agni Tirtha'. It is a land of immortals</span>. But Kailashpati could also mean: Chief of the Kalasha people ~ part of the ancient Deva clan/people. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The ancient Himalayan kingdom probably consisted of wide swathes of land - along the entire stretch of the Himalayan ranges; and so, Goddess Parvati/Durga and her many forms, like Vaishno Devi, <i>Devi</i> Katyayani, <i>Devi</i> Varahi, <i>Devi</i> Narasimhi, <i>Devi </i>Chamunda, <span class="text"><span class="text"><i>Devi</i> Brahmi or Brahmani (goddess Sarasvati)</span></span> et al is worshipped. ~ Maybe, the eastern regions of modern India too were part of the ancient Himalayan kingdom, and so, <i>Devi</i> Durga is widely worshipped and even considered as a daughter in these parts. Durga Puja is treated as the Goddess' homecoming. Even Himachal Pradesh is 'Devabhoomi' - abode of the Deva people.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Kalasha myths and beliefs centre on the relationship between the human soul and the universe. This relationship, according to Kalash mythology, manifests itself in music and dance. In their festivals, music and dance are performed not only for entertainment, but also as a ritual. The Kalash celebrate four major festivals commemorating seasonal change and significant events in agro-pastoral life. These festivals are 'Joshi' or 'Chilimjusht', 'Uchal', 'Phoo' ('Pul' festival - pũ. from pūrṇa, purnima - full moon - in Sept.) and 'Chowmos'. They celebrate these festivals by cooking traditional meals and dancing to traditional music during the week-long events. The festival of 'Joshi'<b> </b>is for spring harvest, and lasts 4-6 days in mid-May and the 'Uchao' festival in August celebrates the pre-harvest with cheese, corn and wine. The 'Choimus' in mid-December for the winter solstice is the most impressive, lasting 10 days. The most important Kalash festival is the Chowmos/Choimus/Chawmos (cawmōs, ghona chawmos yat, Khowar "chitrimas" from *cāturmāsya), which is celebrated for two weeks during winter solstice (c. Dec. 7-22), at the beginning of the month chawmos mastruk. It marks the end of the year's fieldwork and harvest. It involves much music, dancing and feasting. [And, aren't were familiar with the concept of Chaturmaas? Or even Chaitra - associated with the coming of Spring, since Holi, the spring festival of colour, is celebrated on the eve of Chaitra (namely, the last day of Phalgun month)? BG 10.35: <span class="text"><i>|| </i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="text"><i><span class="text"><i>māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham </i></span>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</i></span></span> || </i>~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am spring".</span>] Durga Puja is also held in the spring season, it is known as <i>Basanti Puja</i>. Basanti comes from Basanta or Spring. It is believed that Shri Ram invoked the goddess in the month of Ashvina (Ashvin/Asvayuja/Autumn) before his battle with Ravana to seek her blessings; it was an untimely invocation - <i>akal bodhan</i>. Since it is held in the month of autumn, this puja is known as <i>Sharadutsab</i> or Sharadiya Puja - autumnal worship. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Kalash believe that a new sun is born on December 21 (winter solstice) and that the new sun affects the flora and fauna of the land. [~ </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We celebrate Makara Sankranti or Pongal; but many people conflate Makara Sankranti (Uttarayan) with the Winter Solstice (which falls on December 21/22). BG 10.31: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="ital-inline">|| </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>jhaṣāṇāḿ makaraś cāsmi</i></span> || ~ "I am the crocodile among the fishes" ~ is a reference to Makara Sankranti. A crocodile can be associated with patience and precision, but the crocodile allegory can also be indicative of a chieftain.</span>] The Kalasha way of life is finely balanced, allowing both men and women to do their duties freely. The Kalasha society is not a male-dominated one, their social organization is very effective, and ensures there is no cruelty or discrimination based on issues of gender.&nbsp;The Kalash society is optimistic. Crows represent the ancestors, and are frequently fed. The rituals is basically, though not always, temple-less, involving fire, sacred wood, three circumambulations, and the *hotṛ (indicating fire-ritual). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Thus, despite the passage of time, we can clearly find traces of their ancient and original way of life. ... And it isn't much different from what we do. So much for myths involving Alexander.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Bharatavarsha</i> means:&nbsp;the continent (Sanskrit: continent = 'varsha') that is dedicated (Sanskrit: dedicated = 'rata') to light, wisdom (Sanskrit: wisdom = 'bha')</span>. ~ Bharatavarsha or Bharatadesam also means, "cherished land"<i>. </i>(However, it is unlikely that the contours of modern India constituted ancient Bharatvarsha.) ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Yet another name for ancient India is&nbsp; Jambudveepa or Jambadveepa. [Jambu or Jamba = Indian blackberry.]</span> So, maybe, there was an abundance of this tree (obviously a much different version of what we find now) ~ and hence the name. Thus, Jambudveepa = island of the Jambu or Jambul (Indian blackberry) trees. Or perhaps, ancient India was shaped like an Indian blackberry. ~ Now whether the contours of modern India constituted ancient Jambudveepa or not - <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati represent the divine forces in play in the growth, expansion and evolution of the Universe. This aspect of the growth of the Universe is thus steeped with the knowledge of all that has transpired since the moment of Creation and continues to drive the further evolution of the Universe. This driving force of knowledge is called as the divinity Sarasvati as it is a knowledge that continues to flow through the expanse of the cosmos gracefully and incessantly like waves. [Saras means gracefully flowing.] This knowledge power forms the root for all forms of knowledge, speech, skill, arts, fine arts, craft etc. Sarasvati is therefore the divinity that promotes the development of all of these capabilities in mankind, society and civilization.<i>&nbsp;</i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Devi</i> Sarasvati represents intelligence, wisdom, consciousness, cosmic knowledge, creativity, education (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>not limited to text-bookish knowledge</i></span>), culture, enlightenment, music, the arts, eloquence (persuasion/ vāk) and so on. The goddess of knowledge and arts represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. Goddess Sarasvati is intrinsically associated with flowing water in her role as a goddess of knowledge (<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>not transient/apara vidya though</i></span>; hence she holds a lotus - the symbol of true/eternal/timeless knowledge - <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>para vidya</i></span>). She is wisdom personified. ~ In the Rig Ved, Sarasvati is a river as well as its personification as a goddess. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Veda = The Book of Knowledge/The Book of Enlightenment. Veda (meaning wisdom, knowledge) comes from the root "vid" - to know. Veda has in turn given rise to "Vidya", which also means: knowledge. <span style="color: #660000;"></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b></span></span></span></span> The wisdom of the Panchatantra, Hitopadesha, Jataka tales and Jain tales are universal and timeless, hence they too can be called <i>para vidya</i> - non-transient.<span style="color: #4c1130;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Knowledge or education does not have a narrow or linear definition.</span> It is <i>not</i> confined to mechanical thinking or regurgitation; it is not bookish or armchair theories (transient or <i>apara vidya</i>) either. It involves intellectual pursuits and intellectual curiosity (as opposed to rote-learning). K</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;">nowledge is likely to be wasted if it exists in a wisdom vacuum/void. </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">BG 10.22:<i> || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><i>indriyanam manas casmi bhutanam asmi cetana</i></span></i></span> || </i>~ "Of the senses (indriyanam) I am the mind (manas); and in living beings (bhutanam) I am the living force" ~ (cetana, consciousness; consciousness and conscience are two different things;<i> <i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">consciousness</span></i></i></i>[cetana]<i><i> </i></i>is awareness, sentience - the ability to feel, think, perceive,<i><i></i></i>comprehend or to experience. It is necessary for cognition/perception. <i>If the mind/intellect is dulled, there is a cascading effect - the consciousness (ability to think, perceive, comprehend etc too gets dulled</i>. ~ This can be applicable to a civilization too.) </span><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Creativity and innovation is also part of knowledge and education, and these are <i>not</i> confined to textbooks alone; knowledge can <i>also</i> be passed on from one generation to the next - minus formal schools or text-books - one can even learn via osmosis; therefore, e.g. an agriculturist or a horticulturist or someone who is involved in animal husbandry, or even a sculptor, an artisan or craftsman is not devoid of knowledge or education. Even people with automobile and electrical or electronics engineering degrees depend on technicians, mechanics (mistri) and handymen. In earlier times, kusalavyas (wandering poets) too were greatly respected - since they disseminated stories from our ancient heritage and history through songs, couplets and the like. There was dignity of labour and skill; e.g. we marvel at the town-planning feats of the ancient Indus engineers, however, there would also have been a multitude of labourers to accomplish or give shape to this feat. [The Indian Civilization (Indus-Sarasvati Civilization or 'Aryavarsha') was a knowledge-based culture/civilization that was also attuned to economic activity. ~ So (probably) skill-building/development, vocational training, etc too received due attention, alongside what we now understand as primary education.] ~ True knowledge (<i>para vidya</i>), education and wisdom is also the ability to eschew perfunctoryness, finger-pointing, mechanical thinking, and the like and to do non-linear thinking; to have a broader vision, to take a wholesome view of issues and to emerge with holistic solutions. [Something that both Krishn and Chanakya possessed. ~ Krishn vs the Kauravas + Krishn vs Jarasandh and allies (anti-Krishn) were key turning points, they put things on the road to recovery. Similarly, Chanakya vs Dhana Nanda breathed new life and energy into ancient India. ~ The <i>matsya</i> (the fish) - swims against the tide/flow despite all odds (and blazes a trail for others to follow), <i>matsya</i> is Neelkanth (soaking up bile and negativism, thereby making the journey - since there are no instant solutions - easier for others; it is work-in-progress, and if it <i>also</i> involves perception and mindset changing it takes time), <i>matsya</i> never rises to the bait. The swan (hamsah) is not ignorant; the swan </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">possess the ability to separate the water from the cream (in milk) - symbolizing the need to differentiate between </span>the positive and the negative, between the enduring and the transient (trivia); the swan thus is able to see and comprehend the larger picture/canvas/vision and prioritize accordingly. 'Coz putting the cart before the horse doesn't help.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> There is no indication (in our ancient texts) that our ancients arrived at uniform solutions based on abstract figures and statistics. [It is more likely that they were unaware of what statistical figures meant. Parameters and yardsticks (and perhaps even terminology and nomenclature) that is applicable to other civilizations or newer cultures or relatively homogeneous cultures or small/smaller nations or even larger nations with smaller populations, may not work w.r.t India - a nation where high-end phones, IT/BT, plasma television sets, space research and allopathy coexist with radio, type-writer, bullock-carts, village fairs/melas and ayurveda/homeopathy; a nation whose geography incorporates deserts, mountains, valleys, plains and what-not.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Tagore's </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">vision was to take on a more holistic attitude towards understanding the dynamic spirit of his time (and beyond). ~ He also felt that the West should be capable of "<i>imparting to the East what is best in herself, and of accepting in a right spirit the wisdom that the East has stored for centuries</i>."] ~ India has never been a monolith with a homogeneous culture and peoples; India has always been a kaleidoscope with complex population demographics, mindset, worldview and unique regional dynamics. [Tagore</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> envisioned a parallelism - the parallelism of welding together into one body various peoples (~ and <i>this</i>is reminiscent of the Universal Form of the Primordial.)] </span>Therefore, what could be applicable to some parts/regions may not work or be applicable to others. Besides, each region have had their own history and geographical and evolutionary aspects... and therefore, disparate dynamics. [Even in modern India, arid and difficult landscape have fueled mercantile energy; mountainous regions have given a hardy people; a mixed landscape have nourished agro-based functions and artisanship, while lush-greenery have nurtured literature, art, creativity, innovation and other intellectual pursuits (besides agro-based activities and artisanship).] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Ancient India was also the seat of learning - due to research and innovation in multiple areas. And this attracted seekers of knowledge from far and wide. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>The decline of Takshashila marked the decline in Indian education, thought and structure. Fewer and fewer knowledge-seekers, students and travelers made the trip to India.</i></span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Tagore advised that it is important for a nation/people to develop herself from within, instead of merely adopting (relying upon) Western or borrowed methods; 'coz borrowing other people's history will not be enduring. </span>~ There is an anecdote involving Tenali Rama or Tenali Ramakrishna - the great wit. ~ Tenali Rama prayed to the Goddess. After a while She appeared before him - carrying a bowl of milk (representing wealth) and a bowl of curd (representing wisdom). She asked him to choose. Tenali Rama (very intelligently) mixed the contents of the two bowls and drank it. The goddess, impressed with him, blessed him with wealth and wisdom. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">...........................................................</span></span></span></b><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Megasthenes' Herakles was <i>not</i> the classical Greek deity <i>per se</i>.</span> ~ During his travels (as the ambassador of the Seleucids) during the reign of Samraat Chandragupta Maurya of the Maurya Empire/Dynasty... Megasthenes came upon an Indian deity, a fascinating figure... and equated him with the classical Greek divinity - Herakles. <i>This</i> Herakles was none other than Krishn or Hari-Krishna. Megasthenes also described an Indian clan called <i>Sourasenoi</i>, who especially worshipped 'Herakles' in their land, and this land had two cities, Methora and Kleisobora, and a navigable river, the Jobares. ... As was common in the ancient period, the Greeks sometimes described foreign deities/gods in terms of their own divinities, and there is little doubt that the 'Sourasenoi' refers to the Shurasenas or Shurasena Yadus </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">~ a branch of the Yadu clan/kula. Therefore, the Shuracena Yadus can be identified with the ancient clan/lineage of Harikula or Harivansh. [T</span><span class="textexposedshow">he Sarakenoi or Saraceni (late Latin <i>Saracēnus </i>or late Greek <i>Sarakēnos</i>) could actually be the Shuracena Yadus, a<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">part from the Vrishnis, that is. Vasudev Krishn, the Lord of Mathura and Dvarka, is also known as Varshneya.]</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span><span style="font-size: small;">~ Quintus Curtius also mentions that when Alexander confronted King Porus (Puru or Raja Paurava/Parvateshvar)... Porus' soldiers were carrying an image of 'Herakles' in their vanguard. ~ The all-conquering Alexander's career pretty much came to a halt... after his brief encounter with this mighty king of the Indus region. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">[Sindhu is Sanskrit for the River Indus. "Sindhu" means <i>river,</i> <i>stream</i> or <i>ocean</i> in Sanskrit.] </span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="hp">BG 10.24: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>sarasam asmi sagarah</i></span> || ~ </span>"and of bodies of water I am the ocean." </span>[The Greeks however had some success ruling as kings in&nbsp;north-western cities&nbsp;such as the one in&nbsp;Takshashila... the decline of which marked the decline in Indian education, thought and structure. However, the so-called Macedonian empire in the east lasted less than ten years after the invasion.]</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Persia" very likely evolved from "Parshva" (meaning: 'next door', 'neighbouring' or 'nearby'). The Rig Vedic <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>Parsus</i> or <i>Parsavas</i> has been anglicized to Persians. So, maybe, the ancient Indus people (<i>refer relevant passages on the etymology of the word </i>"<i>Hindu</i>") called the people of the first/neighbouring port by the Sanskrit word "Parshva". ~ Did the ancient Persians in turn (also) refer to the ancient Indus people and/or those living to the east of them as "Prachya" (meaning: 'Eastern' or Eastern Country) - the Greek Praesii or </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Prasioi</span>? ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours.</i></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br /><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Krishn founded the city of <span style="color: #4c1130;">Pataliputra</span> - 138 generations before the reign of Samraat Chandragupta Maurya. (The despotic Nandas' reign ended ~ after Chanakya outmaneuvered Dhana Nanda and his allies.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Now, was <i>this</i> Pataliputra (founded by Krishn) <i>Palibothra</i> or Palimbothra to the Greeks? That is: was <i>this</i> Pataliputra, Megasthenes' <i>Palibothra</i>?</span> Was the Greek Praesii or Prasioi ~ "Prachya" or 'Eastern Country'? ... Praesii or Prasioi is said to have been very prosperous ~ the capital being Palibothra, a very large, industrious and wealthy city, after which the people themselves were known as Palibothri. Apparently, Palibothra was located (from the north-west) before the Ganges-Yamuna confluence. ... But modern Patna lies southeast of the confluence. ~ <i>So, is this </i>'<i>Ganga</i>'<i> a reference to the river or is it a metaphor</i>? More likely the latter. Maybe it is a reference to ancient India. <span class="text">BG 10.31: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i></span> || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." || </span>So, was Praesii (of the Greeks) actually <i>Prachya</i>, which in Sanskrit means 'Eastern country', the capital of which was the Pataliputra built by Krishn - 138 generations before Chandragupta Maurya? </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Was Praesii or Prasioi (of the Greeks) - </span></span></span>East to the ancient Persians? ~ Therefore, were there two Magadh-s ~ which has resulted in much confusion? ~ Megasthenes' <i>Palibothra</i> (the Pataliputra built by Krishn) may not have been located in the eastern parts of modern India. Alexander did not cross the Indus region, and so, could not have gone all the way to the eastern parts of modern India to battle with Chandragupta Maurya. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> So, what areas did Megasthenes refer to by the city of <i>Palibothra</i>, the country of <i>Praesii</i> and the river <i>Erannoboas</i>? ... Megasthenes was reasonably familiar with the places he visited in ancient India. Apparently, "The Indus skirts the frontiers of Praesii". ... But there is no River Indus in the eastern parts of modern India. ~ According to Classical accounts the river Jomanes flows through Palibothra into the Ganges between the towns of Methora (Mathura) and Carisobaras. ~ So, this Methora (Mathura) was very likely part of Prachya - Eastern Country (Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks). But what is meant by Carisobaras? River Sarasvati? Or River <span class="bodyarl">C</span>handrabhaga <span class="bodyarl">(Chenab)?</span> Here, Jomares (Yamuna) is very likely a metaphor. It could not have been the river by the same name ~ since the river Yamuna is part of the Madhyadesa or Middle Country region (of the Mahabharata times). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> There is the country of Prabhadraka, Prabhadra or Palibhadra/Paribhadra, (part of Madhyadesa from the Mahabharata times). There is also reference to a king called Chandraketu (as the head of the Prabhadraka Kshatriyas). Was this Chandraketu the Sandrokottas of the Greek accounts? But Prachya - Eastern Country (Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks) could not have been part of Madhyadesa (Middle Country). Also, who then was Sandrokyptos? Who was Sasicottus? And who was Xandramas? <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Apparently, Magadha (the Prachya, "Easterners," Greek, <i>Prasioi</i>) had attained a dominating position. ... Therefore, it appears that there were <i>two</i> Magadha-s: One on the eastern parts of modern India (consisting of eastern U.P., Bihar, possibly Jharkhand, Bengal, Assam and Odisha) and the other on the western parts of ancient India. [~ Two countries bearing the same name was not unusual, though. There were two Kamboja-s (actually three, if we consider Kambuja Desa or modern Cambodia).] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> So, in all likelihood, Chanakya, the Mauryas, the Nandas and later the Guptas were associated with <i>this</i>Magadha - the one on the western parts of ancient India ~ i.e. Prachya, Eastern Country; Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks. Even Jarasandha was associated with <i>this</i> Magadh (Prachya/ Praseii or Prasioi to the Greeks). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> After the great dharma-yuddha (battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity, for a prosperous and vibrant society) - <i>this</i> Magadha became the foremost of ancient kingdoms with the new capital Pataliputra, a port city on the banks of the Ganges (~ this 'Ganges' could be a reference to ancient India). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span class="text">BG 10.31: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>srotasām asmi jāhnavī</i></span> || ~ "and of flowing waters I am the Ganga." [Here, 'Ganga' is a reference to India.] </span></span>Did Lothal have anything to do with the port city? ~ The Nandas and Mauryas ruled this kingdom. And even the Guptas. ~ The Mauryas built the celebrated Mauryan Empire that spanned far and wide. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> For the Maurya Chandragupta to have fought the Greeks all the way from the eastern parts of modern India (the <i>other</i> Magadha, that is) is quite far-fetched, especially given the time and logistics involved - equipment, cavalry, elephants, provisions, other paraphernalia and so on. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The etymology of Pataliputra is unclear. "Putra" means son, and "pāţali" is a species of rice or the plant <i>Bignonia suaveolens. </i>However, given that Krishn was a manifestation of Bhairava - the Primordial sound, this name may have evolved from Patal Bhairava.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Chanakya was a Brahmana, implying erudition. &nbsp;[~ A "Brahmana" was someone who trod in the path of knowledge - Brahmacharya. [Brhm refers to knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment. Goddess Sarasvati is also known as <i>Devi</i> Brahmi or Brahmani.] Brahmacharya does not indicate celibacy. That is mistranslation. The Vedic Rishis and Rishikas were not required to be celibate. It was a matter of choice, not compulsion. In Sanaatan Dharma there is no such thing as compulsion or straitjacketing. It is a 'way of life'.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Chanakya is <i>also</i> addressed by two honorifics: Pandit and Acharya. ~ "Pandit" indicates a wise, learned and enlightened person. "Acharya" means: "He who instructs through his own behavior (acharan)". <i>That is the mark of a true teacher/guru</i>. His father, Rishi Canak, too was a teacher/professor, and hence was also known as Acharya Canak. Chanakya means: son of Canak. [Rishi or Rishika is an honorific indicating erudition.] </span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The 'sikha' (also called 'shikha') is a Sanskrit word that refers to a long tuft, or lock of hair left on the top or on the back of the shaven head of a male Brahmana (erudite or learned person). However, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">traditionally, all males were required to wear a 'sikha', yet, today it is seen mainly amongst temple priests</span>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">The 'sikha' is tied back or knotted during the performance of rites or ceremonies. Only funerals and death anniversaries are performed with the 'sikha' tuft untied</span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span>Maurya comes from 'Moriya' or 'Mura'. [Pali: Mora.] It is derived from 'Mor' meaning, peacock. With time Moriya/Mura became 'Maurya'. The Moriya were peacock-feather gatherers and Chandragupta's mother hailed from this clan. There is some indication that she was the daughter of a village headman, others indicate that she was the chief attendant (dasi) of the despotic Dhana Nanda (and that the latter sired Chandragupta); this makes Chandragupta a 'dasi-putra'. (Though some versions state that he belonged to a minor clan - the Moriya or Mura, and that his father was the chief of a forest area called Pippatavana/Pippalivana.) It is also believed that the Mura/Moriya clan was an offshoot of the Shakya clan - to which Prince Siddharth, later Shri Gautam Buddh, belonged. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The Sanskrit language has no equivalent for a slave. [Das/Dasi = attendant.] <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Even the celebrated Gupta emperors came from humble origins as did the Nandas. Dhana Nanda (son of Mahapadma Nanda) was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty. Dhana Nanda was of course despised on account of his meanness and unscrupulous nature and the wickedness of his disposition.</span></span></span><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Some accounts indicate that Chanakya was a "Dramila".</span> Now, "Dramila" means, "running away" or "escaping". It is possible that this word was used (by our ancients) to refer to the people who escaped the great deluge that swallowed up Dvarka (Dvaravati). Later, these displaced people settled down in other parts. Chanakya probably was born into one such family. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> "Dramila" is believed to be the root of the word "Dravida" by some scholars. Therefore, perhaps with the passage of time, this word - Dramila - underwent certain changes, and gave rise to a new word, "Dravida". ~ It is not indicative of 'race'. The <span class="textexposedshow">Indian Civilization (the Sindhu-Sarasvati Civilization) is 'Aryavarsha' (~ abode of the <i>Arya</i> people; land of the noble ones; Arya = noble, noble-natured or people who followed a pattern of life based on noble values. Varsha = continent, in Sanskrit)</span>. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> There are multiple opinions about Chanakya's birthplace. According to Buddhist texts, his birthplace was Takshashila - located in north-western ancient India; he attended the famed university at the age of sixteen. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The university offered courses spanning a period of more than eight years. So prominent was the place where Chanakya received his education that it goes to show the making of the genius. After acquiring vast knowledge in various branches of study, the young Chanakya... believing in the dissemination of knowledge and not in the storage of it, became a professor (acharya) of economics and political science at the ancient Takshashila University. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->His students looked up to him as an ideal teacher who inspired and exemplified great knowledge. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Chanakya's life was connected to two cities: Takshashila and Pataliputra (Megasthenes' Palibothra - <i>refer the passages above</i>). This Pataliputra (originally built by Krishn) was the capital of the Magadha kingdom on the western regions of ancient India (it was also known as <i>Prachya</i> or Eastern Country; Praesii or Prasioi to the Greeks). This Pataliputra was connected to Takshashila by Uttarapatha, the northern high road of commerce. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Chanakya was still a teacher (acharya) at the Takshashila University when certain seminal geo-political events took place. Gandhara Republic </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(it was an important kingdom and probably consisted much of ancient/Vedic Upaganasthan, meaning: land [sthan] of the allied clans) </span>was unable to come out of the shock of the comprehensive defeat at the hands of the province of Porus, when a new contingency loomed over Takshashila. Thousands of refugees poured into Takshashila - as a result of the widespread attacks by the armies of Alexander. Faced with this sudden influx, important and influential personalities decided to extend shelter to the refugees on humanitarian grounds. Accordingly, a stretch of land outside Takshashila was allotted to them. This incident was (however) just a precursor to a series of events which reverberated across ancient India - as a result of the attacks of Alexander. At such a time, Chanakya responded to the call of duty ~ to salvage the situation and save the country from the onslaught of the invaders. [Alexander was not Arya. The Greeks were regarded as Yavana. ~ Yavana indicates a people who are reasonably cultured, knowledgeable, great builders and architects, and yet... indulge in un-Aryan (ignoble) behaviour like slave-taking, buying and selling of humans in markets, plunder and pillage, misbehaviour with women, and so on. | Mlechcha, on the other hand, implies uncivilized or savage.] ~ Chanakya left Takshashila University for Patliputra, (Megasthenes' Palibothra) ~ which paved the way for watershed changes in the politics of ancient India and Patliputra. A masterful political strategist, he was an ace at turning tables irrespective of the circumstances. Praised for his profound political wisdom, diplomacy in a politically charged environment also shows his long-term thinking and clarity of vision, besides the ability to stay calm in trying situations. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Chanakya is also known as 'Kaultilya' - the wily one (for his guiles). However, Vishnugupt probably is a different person ~ possibly a redactor of the original work of Kautilya.</span></span></span><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Issues are <i>not</i>one-dimensional or simplistic, and therefore, there are or&nbsp;have been no instant or simplistic solutions either.</span> This has been the norm. Statecraft/kutniti/politics has never been played out between or involved upright, high-minded and righteous souls... simply because the dynamics of human nature is different. [And, <i>this</i> includes the nature, mindset and worldview of the general populace too. Or, at least, a large chunk of it. 'Coz statecraft/kutini/politics does not exist in a vacuum/void or in isolation. It involves interaction and social dynamics. The mindset or worldview of the people shapes the social conditions. The general populace has never quite been upright, righteous souls, themselves. Therefore, statecraft/kutniti/politics have always involved dealing with a multitude of emotions. In a diverse nation like India that is self-explanatory.] Reciprocity (or some kind of barter system) has always been the norm. (~ <i>The intensity, though, may have differed from era/yug to era/yug</i>.) ~ And yet, Krishn, Chanakya and even Shri Ram or even the Mauryans and the Guptas have been statesmen, <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>not mere politicians</i></span> (~ 'coz their motives have <i>not</i> been selfish or self-serving). <span style="color: #4c1130;">They were not only clear about what needed to be done, but also (most importantly) were clear about how to go about it. It is here that their sagacity/prudence, astuteness, foresight, superior intelligence and wiles and guiles came into good use.<span style="color: #351c75;"> (<i>refer the passage on Yug Purush</i>.)</span></span> ~ Their decisions, words and deeds were based on a rational analysis of the situation... factoring in long-term aspects. They prudently eschewed short-term considerations or ad hoc-ism (~ their actions were essentially a means to the broader vision, the&nbsp; bigger picture/canvas - the larger goals/objectives, <i>not</i> personal glory). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Neither Krishn nor Chanakya were up against well-intentioned and upright, righteous souls. Nor was the prevalent society perfect. On the contrary, it was fractious; besides people were either too self-centred or too aloof to even protest. Things were simply spiraling out of control. ~ But, how did Chanakya generate the funds that was necessary to fructify his vision? How did Krishn do it? How did he generate the funds to rebuild the city of Dvarka (after the relentless attacks by Jarasandh on Mathura/Megasthenes' Methora)? We don't quite know. ~ Maybe the motives, purposes, goals and objectives, contributions, opportunities and momentum created were what mattered and therefore gained primacy, not the means. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And so, the concept of 'lotus palm' and 'lotus feet' - the <i>dharmic freedom of inner detachment</i>... and the analogies regarding the <i>lotus</i> (which grows in muddy water and yet remains pristine) and the <i>swan</i>- whose feathers do not get damp despite remaining in water. Both metaphors indicate a real <i>karm-yogi</i>, a <i>nishkama karm-yogi</i> - such a karm-yogi is called <i>hamsah</i> - the swan.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Also, we find the system of 'utkoch'; this word could be interpreted as 'ghus' (in modern terminology). ~ Perhaps our ancients interpreted it as 'gift' or reward or consideration - for services rendered. The 'utkoch' probably varied depending on the matters, issues and services provided. ~ So, did our ancients prudently accept human nature, societal dynamics as well as the nature and dynamics of statecraft/kutniti/politics besides commercial and mercantile activities? ['Coz commercial functions and </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">statecraft/kutniti/politics have never been mutually exclusive; they have always been part of the same ecosystem. Power-brokers and middlemen have always existed.] </span></span>~ So, did such a rational and prudent world-view (instead of an utopian or rhetorical one) in turn lead to the streamlining and smooth functioning of administrative and commercial matters, instead of avoidable logjams, stagnation and bottlenecks? 'Coz our ancient texts don't seem to be over-flowing with stories or anecdotes about 'bribery', and the like. [~ <i>However, it is unlikely that people would have been drastically different</i>.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">] </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chanakya was prescient and pithy: "It's just as difficult to detect an official's dishonesty as it is to discover how much water is drunk by the swimming fish". [This can be applied w.r.t the general populace as well.] Even the wise Nasreddin Hodja advised that one must understand the nature of the beast before trying to tame it. <i>This is timeless wisdom</i>. ~ Therefore, did our ancients devise a mechanism that legalized 'utkoch' - besides giving it a semblance of respectability... not only with regard to nomenclature but also by bringing in slabs, ceilings, parameters and the like? Did they recognize 'utkoch' as an important aspect/function - sort of an intrinsic cog in the wheel of statecraft/kutniti/politics as well as that of economic activity (commercial functions)? Did they also recognize it as part of economic activity itself as well as a means of employment generation? 'Coz (e.g.) gambling was very much prevalent. ~ <i>My guess is as good as yours</i>. Also, is that the reason why our ancient texts are not littered with stories and/or anecdotes about 'utkoch' and the like? Simply because it may have been an accepted fact and so, did not raise eyebrows? 'Coz given the times and given the nature of their functions - which was very much a part and parcel of statecraft/kutniti/politics (of which 'utkoch' was an intrinsic cog in the wheel), </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">it is unlikely that Shri Ram or Shri Krishn or for that matter Chanakya, the Mauryans or the Guptas</span></span> would have got on without this particular cog - given human nature (~ they would have had to deal with a cross-section of people and emotions). After all, statecraft or kutniti is all about dealing with human nature, mere people-management (abstract phraseology) is not enough. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ And so, reciprocity (or some kind of barter system) has always been the norm. (~ The intensity, though, may have differed from era/yug to era/yug. Population as well as social complexities too would have been lesser.) </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> However, despite power-brokers, middlemen, statecraft/kutniti/politics and 'utkoch', ancient India achieved remarkable strides in innovation, creativity, research, town-planning, trade and other economic activity; science, mathematics, astronomy, metallurgy, art, architecture, literature, poetry and sculpture flourished, and the cultural development of ancient India reached its zenith. So, our ancients may not have viewed 'utkoch' as a stymieing factor to development and progress; they probably accepted it as a constant/reality and an integral part of human nature, and therefore took practical measures and rationalized it, instead of letting it fester or tilting at windmills. Also, avarice, gambling, petty crimes and so on will always exist; a society will not function otherwise. Only when their intensity increases tremendously do such activities or traits become a bane (i.e. hamper societal progress and vibrancy). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Dynasty or lineage too does not seem to have been an issue. From the ancient Himalayan kingdom to the celebrated Rama Empire, the Pandava Empire to the Mauryas and the Gupta Empire - all have been dynasties/empires. In a kaleidoscopic ancient India, they lent stability, this in turn helped ancient India to prosper and progress. Besides these dynasties/empires, there have been several other empires and kingdoms led by able rulers and administrators - under whose guidance and leadership parts of ancient India flourished. Administration/administrative functions and governance (which are also intrinsic to empires and kingdoms) requires extensive networking (since it is a cumulative or sum-total of various functions), holding of dialogues, decision-making and alliance-building is necessary, and therefore familiarity is an important criteria. Besides, arriving at a common roadmap/framework for the future. The 'Cakravartin system of governance' was very much dynasty/empire-based - lead by an able and prominent member of a preeminent <i>kula</i> or clan (~ else it might have been 'too many cooks spoil the broth'); there have been exceptions though, when able persons from modest origins have risen and shone... and gone on to become progenitors of dynasties/empires. [For a Cakravartin-raja, dharma and karm-yog gained primacy. They probably arrived at a shared roadmap/guidelines/framework/architecture for the future - with their allies and other smaller kings/chieftains/satraps (janapadin). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Cakravartin-raja was (thus) a unifier, a binding force/factor; a leader, a ruler, an administrator, a teacher, a guiding spirit, a catalyst, a reformer and a well-wisher of the people; one who could take diversities (of all kinds) along. His empire was not a monolith, but rather a confederation (with maximum internal autonomy). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There were kings and chieftains (janapadin<i>) </i>governing their own big and small regions/kingdoms/territories (janapadas and mahajanapadas), and yet, they all functioned under the wise and reassuring presence of the Cakravartin. ~ He was the proverbial banyan tree beneath which all others sheltered. BG 10.27: || <span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">narāṇāḿ ca narādhipam</span> || ~ </i>"</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text">and among humans I am the monarch" (Cakravartin).</span></span> ~ BG 10.25: || </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">aśvatthaḥ sarva-vṛkṣāṇāḿ</span> || ~ </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: small;">"Of all trees I am the (asvatthah)" - fig tree (it can mean: banyan tree as well as the Peepal/aśvatthaḥ, or maybe both).</span> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Cakravartin were</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> not harbingers of stagnation or short-termism or ad hocism/tactical measures; they had the mettle, capacity and foresight to effectively deal with societal dynamics, take longer-term planning (a lucid plan of action), set strategic objectives and follow through with them; they did not shy-away or postpone reforms either, i.e. taking tangible measures for mindset change or for altering prejudices. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->They knew how to go about the latter - for it to be durable and organic. Optimism, a sense of hope and prioritizing were a hallmark to their leadership - it was integral to the way they led. ~ In fact, that <i>is</i> true leadership.] Perhaps stability, stature, reassurance and continuity were overweening factors (important pillars) for the rest to fall in place. [A nucleus is necessary.] Trying to rebuild the wheel or framework/architecture at short intervals may not have been prudent, probably counterproductive too (as is evident from the post Gupta era gradual drift and flounder - the repercussions of which have been extremely far-reaching). </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Certain other line of work such as business, diplomacy, medicine, the legal profession and even entertainment (to some extent) - follow this trend/model, perhaps familiarity (generational ties) and the strength borne out of it (networking, ease of interaction, trust, confidence, etc) matters. These are critical intangibles, and not quite quantifiable. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> The many monuments and ruins are a testimony to aesthetics; none of them are an eyesore. Our ancients also lived in harmony with nature; they did not pollute the water-bodies, etc. Plastic and other non-biodegradable wastes were unknown to them. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Various sculptures and others forms of art tell us about the attitude towards 'tritiya-prakriti'. The nomenclature itself is an indication that three kinds of humans were accepted. Sculptures, art and texts also inform us about the attitude regarding <i>kama</i> (desire). BG 10.28: || </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i>prajanaś cāsmi kandarpaḥ || </i>~ </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span class="text">"of causes for procreation I am Kandarpa (or Cupid), the god of love." </span></span>Short-term marriage (termed 'Gandharva Vivaah') - that lasted for a few hours or a few days - were prevalent. No ritual was required, </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">though the consent of the female was essential. Gandharva Vivaah happened either to beget progeny or for pleasure. </span>[Maharshi Veda Vyasa was born out of one such marriage between Matsyakanya Satyavati and Maharshi Parashara. Matsyakanya does not mean daughter of a fisherman or even fisherwoman. The ancient Matsya kingdom probably is modern-day Rajasthan. Satyavati thus hailed from the ancient Matsya kingdom (of the Mahabharata times). She later became the queen of Hastinapura. ~ Ladies of the night too existed, but were referred to as ganikas and nagar-vadhus. [Appropriate measures for healthcare and hygiene were not withheld.] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The terminologies give us a glimpse into the mindset and culture of the earlier peoples and eras. [</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The earlier eras perhaps were able to streamline and rationalize, and thus the nation too prospered. The social conditions were therefore much less convoluted. They probably did not pile on unresolved issues and build a mountain out of it. It is ultimately self-defeating and counterproductive.] </span></span></span></span>The Sanskrit language is a very erudite language. A very cultured language. The same can be said about the classical versions of other languages. [The cuss-words and/or derogatory terminologies and/or phraseology of modern times have no parallel either in the Sanskrit language or in the classical versions of other Indian languages. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->This (probably) is an indicator of what something as innocuous as phraseology or terminology can do to a people, a society and (thereby) a civilization. Coinage is easy; altering or reversing it is a Herculean task.] <span style="color: #4c1130;">Therefore, our ancients very likely based their worldview on a rational and realistic analysis of human nature (characteristics, thought process, virtues, strengths, motivations, weaknesses/shortcomings/inadequacies et al) and human society, and thus built-in appropriate measures to prevent and/or mitigate unwanted/unpleasant aspects.</span> [~ All this is before the post-Gupta era drift and flounder. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Not only did India lose her preeminence in various areas, her reputation and respect (in the eyes of the world) as a cultured civilization too was lost at the altar of myopia, expediency and avarice. The state of the river Ganga was reminiscent of the state of the Indian civilization ('Aryavarsha') and Arya Dharma.]<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->&nbsp;</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[<span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ The character of a society or civilization can be easily gauged by how it views women (~ that is not to say womenfolk are merely 'mothers' and 'sisters'). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Draupadi was insulted and none spoke up (including the likes of Dhritatashtra, Bheeshma and Dronacharya - who enjoyed much clout) - due to fear of antagonizing Duryodhana or due to petty considerations (like Dronacharya - a <i>guru</i> no less). So engrossed were they in deliberating about who should ascend the throne - Yudhishtira or Duryodhana - that they were unable to see <i>adharm</i> unfold right in front of their eyes. So much for foresight and priority. Krishn later remarks: a society that stood by silently and simply watched - when a prominent and accomplished person like Draupadi (who was <i>also</i> the princess of Panchal, daughter of King Drupad, and so on) was insulted in such an <i>unarya</i> manner - in the most derogatory language and gestures, what will such a society do when ordinary women are mistreated. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> What kind of society or civilization emerges is in the hands of the people... due to their actions, conditioning, thought process, vocabulary, idioms, hygiene, civic sense, mindset, attitude, worldview and so forth ~ all of which influence and shape up the following generations... and thereby the social fabric. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> For our ancients it was woven around Arya Dharma... which later unraveled. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Bheeshma, Dronacharya, Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidur, Karna, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, Draupadi and her brother, Drishtadumna, Ghatotkach, etc - were all 'born' or begotten through various medical procedures (including advanced genetic engineering and cloning technology). They were unnatural humans; they could not procreate naturally. </span><span style="font-size: small;">[Bheeshma refused to get himself cloned. ~ He was the outcome of DNA taken from multiple sources - after seven unsuccessful attempts. He was practically immortal, and thus the metaphor of 'shara-sajya' or 'bed of arrows' has been used. Despite grievous injuries, he was unable to leave his mortal body.] ~ Even Draupadi's five sons (one by each of the Pandavas): Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Srutakirti, Satanika and Srutakarma are said to have been spitting images of their respective fathers - the 5 Pandavas. This again points towards cloning. Therefore, 'the Pandavas announcing to Kunti their arrival with excellent "alms", and a supposedly busy Kunti replying without turning to look at Draupadi (the supposed "alms") and advising/ordering the brothers to share the "alms" equally amongst the five of them' ~ is a later-day addition, courtesy translators - who, unable to understand technology, etc improvised. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The great 'dharma-yuddha' </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(battle of ideas, principles, vision, inclusivity and progress - for the future of humanity, for a prosperous and vibrant society) </span>also eliminated unnatural humans and destructive weaponry and allowed the earth to "heal"... thus civilization could progress naturally and peacefully. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Some genetic defects were found in subsequent generations which too were set right through medical procedures. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Kaalsarpa Dosha', 'Sarpa Dosha' or 'Nag Dosha' refers to genetic disorder. A genetic disorder is an illness caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes. ~ If one observes the shape of DNA, it resembles two snakes coiled together (something we now refer to as: DNA coiled into the double helix structure as a ladder, a twisted rope ladder, or a spiral staircase). In ancient times, our Rishis/Munis (learned persons) visualized everything ~ and thus (euphemistically or maybe symbolically) referred to DNA as 'Sarpa', and any disorder in the DNA was hence termed as 'Sarpa Dosha'. [Dosha = bio-energies found in the body.] Raja Janamajaya/Janamejaya's 'yagna' (euphemism for a 'scientific procedure' to correct 'Kaalsarpa Dosha') took up twelve years. [~ A big chunk of the 'yagna' etc mentioned in our ancient texts is merely a reference to one or the other scientific or medical procedure. From the narrative we can figure out what sort of procedure has been indicated. Also, the logo of the Indian Medical Association is self-explanatory.] With Parikshit (Janamejaya's father) too there is a 'sarpa' involved (though the story has largely been mistranslated). This 'sarpa' is indicative of some genetic disorder. Maybe <i>Rishi</i> Shameek and his son (Shringi) diagnosed this disorder, but were unable to cure/eliminate it. Perhaps during the procedure itself or while undergoing therapy the disorder aggravated and/or his body reacted negatively to the therapy/medication and thus, Parikshit died (as indicated by 'Takshak hiding himself within an apple'.) His son Janmejaya ascended the throne ~ and promptly took remedial measures - to correct his own genetic anomaly/disorder ('Sarpa Dosha' or 'Kaalsarpa Dosha'). In all likelihood, Janmejaya probably engaged a battery of renowned Maharshis, Rishis and Munis - highly knowledgeable and learned persons (to conduct research and experiments... so as to find a remedy.) And this time - after twelve years' of continuous effort - they were successful.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Human nature or traits are innate or intrinsic aspects and hence different from conditioning. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Negative mindset perpetrated for generations or information overload, etc can result in negative conditioning... which in turn percolates into the social fabric and thereby affects social conditions. However, negative conditioning can be altered, through sustained efforts and tangible steps/measures. Various greats and even unsung people have successfully altered or curbed negative mindset, conditioning, etc. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> While certain aspects of human nature is <i>interlinked</i>with certain activities or line of work, and therefore statecraft/kutniti/politics, diplomacy and commercial and mercantile functions have never been without quid pro quo, or some sort of reciprocity and even 'utkoch'. Given the very nature of the former (competitiveness, profit maximization, information gathering, manipulation, manoeuvres, alliance-building and the like), the latter are intrinsic, innate and (hence) an integral part of these activities; it is not merely top-down but also bottom-up. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Maybe our ancients took a sensible view, and (therefore) legalized or regularized it - by putting a cap or ceiling and bringing in parameters etc along with appropriate nomenclature and so on. <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> However, the purposes or motives may differ. And therefore, 'lotus feet', 'lotus palm' (the <i>dharmic freedom of inner detachment</i>), and the swan analogy (~ and the need to separate milk from water).]<span class="textexposedshow"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>...........................................................</b></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Brahmn</i></span><b> </b></span>(Cosmic Light or Light Divine/ Supreme/Universal Consciousness) and<b> </b><span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Mahat</i> or <i>Ishvara</i>/<i>Ishvari</i></span><i><b> </b></i>(Primal Creative Energy/Cosmic Entity).</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow"><b><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="textexposedshow">BG 11.12: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>divi surya-sahasrasya bhaved yugapad utthita yadi bhah sadrisi sa syad bhasas tasya mahatmanah</i></span> || ~ "If the radiance of a thousand suns were to suddenly come forth in the sky, that would be like the light of the Param-atma." (Supreme Cosmic Spirit or Energy - Supreme/Universal Consciousness.) <span style="color: #660000;">| </span>[mahatmanah = higher soul/Param-atma. ~ Krishn is referring to the impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn (the Absolute) and Brahm-jyotih (Cosmic Light or Light Divine).] </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Brahmn</i></span> - the Absolute; in other words: Cosmic Light or Light Divine (divine effulgence); <i>also</i>: Param-atma - Supreme/Universal Consciousness. All creation-related work is the work of Fire (i.e. Cosmic Fire, Cosmic Light/Brahmn-jyotih or Light Divine.) [... The impersonal Brahmn is thus revered as the <i>Supreme Creator</i>(Srashtaa).] <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <i>Brahmn is defined as the one self-existent impersonal spirit - the Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return</i>. ~ It is the light (divine effulgence) that impersonalists perceive in the <i>Nirguna </i>(unmanifested - avyaktah/Niraakar) <i>mode</i> of God/Almighty. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b>AUM (also written as OM) represents Brahmn (the <i>Supreme Creator</i>/Srashtaa), as well as the whole of creation. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The impersonal<i> Brahmn</i> - Cosmic Light or Light Divine (divine effulgence) - is <i>thus</i> the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>unmanifested</i></span> (avyaktah/Niraakar) form of the Almighty.&nbsp;</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Mahat</span> or <span style="color: #4c1130;">Ishvara/Ishvari</span> (Primal Creative Energy) is the Cosmic Entity - <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">the supreme power/authority of the universe/cosmos</span> - </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i>adhaataa</i> (above whom there is no other)</span>: the <span style="color: #4c1130;">Cosmic Ruler</span> (Jagat-patih - Sovereign of the Universe/Vishva Nath and Lord of Creation; Jagadishvara-Jagadishvari/Jagadish/Tribhuvaneshvar-Tribhuvaneshvari) and <span style="color: #4c1130;">Cosmic Teacher</span> (Palanhare). <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">The Cosmic Entity is the highest possible conception of the Absolute (impersonal, <i>unmanifested</i> Brahmn - Cosmic Light or Light Divine; divine effulgence), which is beyond all thought</span>. <span style="color: #0c343d;">Thus, Ishvara/Ishvari is <i>manifested</i> Brahmn - vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn.</span> ~ And so, Ishvara/Ishvari is <i>Brahma</i> - the Creator. In other words: <span class="text"><i>Brahmā</i> is</span><span class="text">the Creator <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being (Ishvara/Ishvari). Mahat or Ishvara/Ishvari is (thus) also known as <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Vishwakarma</i></span>: Creator of the Universe. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> As <i>manifested</i> Brahmn (vyaktah/saakar Brahmn), Ishvara/Ishvari (the Cosmic Entity) is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Omswaroop</span> (manifestation of OM). ~ </span>S/He is the motive power and guiding spirit behind the mathematically precise universes. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">S/He is also <i>kartaa</i>: The doer, <i>maargah</i>: The path, and <i>neyah</i>: The guide.</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Thus, it is said: The seen (<i>manifested</i> - vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn) and the unseen (<i>unmanifested</i> - avyaktah/Niraakar Brahmn) are both one</span>. ~ This explains the concept of <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Advaita</i></span> (monism - Nirguna/Niraakar [formless/unmanifested] mode of God/Almighty, i.e. the impersonal, unmanifested Brahmn); <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>Dvaita</i></span> (dualism; impersonal, unmanifested or avyaktah/Niraakar Brahmn i.e. Cosmic Light/Light Divine/Divine Effulgence + manifested or vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn - the Cosmic Entity/Ishvara/Ishvari) and <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>āstika</i></span> (theism). <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Unlike the rigorous monism (Advaita) of the Upanishads, the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita also integrates dualism (Dvaita) and theism (āstika).</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">[Here is Tagore's '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Pratham Adi taba Shakti</span>': <b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaiWBB4sW-4"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link01</span></a></i></b>.]</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.33: || <i><span style="color: #0c343d;">dvandvaḥ sāmāsikasya ca</span> </i>|| ~ "And among compound words I am the dual compound." ~ A reference to the Cosmic Duality (~ the concept of <i>ArdhaNarishvara</i> or more precisely -<i> <span style="color: #4c1130;">ArdhaNarishvari</span></i>.)</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.35: <span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">māsānāḿ mārga-śīrṣo 'ham </span></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span class="text"><i>ṛtūnāḿ kusumākaraḥ</i></span></span> || </i>~ "Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am spring".<i> </i><b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b><i> </i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Mrigashīrsha: Sanskrit mṛgaśiras (also spelled Mārgaśīrṣa/Mṛgaśira) - the 5th nakṣatra or <i>lunar mansion</i> - as used in Vedic astronomy and astrology, is the constellation Orion (also known as Kaalpurush, meaning: Timeless, Eternal or Ancient).</span> ~ The first two <i>carana/pada</i>(quarters) of this nakṣatra are part of Vṛṣabha Rāśi or Taurus (bull). The latter half of this star belongs to Mithuna Rāśi (Gemini). <span style="color: #660000;">| </span>Gemini - the twins, but that is not literal.</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span class="text" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> ~ Here, it a reference to the concept of ArdhaNarishvara or ArdhaNarishvari. ~ Tagore's "Jana-Gana-Mana Adhinayaka" incorporates this <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>essence</i></span>: </span></span><span class="text" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="kword"><b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OANYQQmtRXU"><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></a>.</i></b></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">[</span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><u>Note</u>:</span> As for the Bull or Vṛṣabha aspect: <span style="color: #4c1130;">Dharma is generally symbolized in Sanaatan Dharmic thought by the bull (Vrishabha)</span>. ~ Thus, Lord Narayana (the Cosmic Entity/Ishvara - or rather, the Vishnu or preserver/stabilizer/maintainer <i>aspect</i> of the Cosmic Entity) is also called Vṛṣabha - the Great Bull. ... This is because, S/<span class="text">He is </span>Dharmadhyaksha - Lord of Dharma (Vrisha Uttamam or Supreme Dharma)<span class="text">. ~ Perhaps S/He dispenses justice - for negative (Prarabda) karma - during presence amongst humanity (as one or the other avatar). ~ In case the negative (Prarabda) karma has not been "washed off" by the performance of adequate amounts of good karma - for the benefit of humanity and society, that is.] ~ Copious amounts of g</span>ood/positive karma is required to "wash off" (any existing or carried over) Prarabda karma (negative karma); this in turn gives the individual and/or the jiva-atma (human soul) a clean slate, or a positive amount (remainder) of good karma. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> Therefore, probably, the transmigration of a human soul (jiva-atma) is as per the presence of or lack thereof... of a positive amount (remainder) of good karma. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <i>Karma is not comeuppance or retribution, but an opportunity for redemption</i>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Bhu-Loka or the Earth-Realm&nbsp;(part of the Madhya-loka or Middle Planets) is karm-bhoomi; it is sort of a&nbsp;launch-pad from where the jiva-atma (human soul or mere Self) can&nbsp;reach (i.e. transmigrate to) the other worlds/lokas (Urdhva-loka or Higher Planets and Adho-loka or Lower Realms, also known as Bilva-Svarga - technologically and materially opulent but spiritually deficient lokas/planets) - based on one's karma. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="text">Excessive Prarabda karma (negative karma) = the jiva-atma (human soul) may even have to suffer in one of the Hellish planets/Narak-loka.</span> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ In Sanaatan Dharmic thought there is no concept of rest in peace. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Instead, there is the concept of <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Charaiveti</i></span>: to keep going, in this cycle of <i>samsara</i> - the constant cycle of birth and re-birth - until one attains "moksha" (liberation) ~ based on one's (accumulated) positive karm, i.e. nishkam/selfless/non-glory-seeking action/service... that contributes towards the greater good or a better and vibrant society. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ Every jiva-atma (human soul or mere Self) will be reborn based on its accumulated karm-phal, the fruits of one's karma, and (thus) get an opportunity to redeem itself.]<span class="blue">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">'<span style="color: #4c1130;">Avatar</span>' means: descent, and refers to <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>a descent of the divine into earthly form</i></span>. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Avatar</span> comes from the Sanskrit <i>avatirna</i>: "manifest/descent from the Lord" (Cosmic Entity or Ishvara/Ishvari).</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The manifestations of the Lord are innumerable, like rivulets flowing from inexhaustible sources of water. BG 10.40: </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #660000;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #351c75;">||</span> <span style="color: #0c343d;">nānto 'sti mama divyānāḿ vibhūtīnāḿ parantapa eṣa tūddeśataḥ prokto vibhūter vistaro mayā</span></span></i></span> <span style="color: #351c75;">|| ~ </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><span style="color: #660000;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="text"><span style="color: #351c75;">"There is no end of My divine manifestations, O Arjun. What I have spoken to you is but a mere indication of My infinite manifestations." </span></span><b>|</b></span> </span><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Apart from the direct manifestations, there are innumerable empowered manifestations. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">Partial avatars are called aḿśa. </span>The indirectly empowered ones are called vibhūtis. [~ 'Avatar' is <i>not</i> to be misconstrued as incarnation or re-incarnation ~ since the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being is <i>not</i> part of the cycle of <i>samsara</i> - the karmic cycle of birth and re-birth. 'Avatar' is <i>not</i> role play either. ... If we can understand what the avatars do, their contribution and purpose, we can then fully grasp the significance of the 'avatar' concept.]</span> </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~<span class="blue"> </span><span style="color: #4c1130;">Lord Krishna is considered as the Cosmic Teacher and Cosmic Ruler, <i>in his totality of manifestation</i></span>. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In other words: </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is <i>not</i> an Avatar of the Cosmic Ruler/Teacher/Entity (the Primordial), but is considered as the Cosmic Entity (albeit, in human form) i.e. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God manifest in human form (svayam Bhagavan) - the <i>human</i> manifestation [sagun swaroop] of the Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being</span></span></span></span></span></span> - <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>in his totality of manifestation</i></span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span>|| <i>krishnas tu bhagavan svayam</i> ||&nbsp;<span class="text">Krishn means, "the all-attractive/absorbing One" (~ </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;">also symbolized by the Universal Form of the Primordial</span>).</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> However, although in their human forms, the avatars possess certain qualities. The 7<sup>th</sup> Vishnu (the Ram-avatar) possessed 12. While the 8<sup>th</sup> Vishnu (the Krishna-avatar) possessed all 16; thus he is <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Purna Avatar</i></span> (~ one in whom divinity is manifested fully.) The 10th Vishnu (<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="blue">the </span><span class="blue"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar or </span>Kalkiḥ Maitreya</span>), on the other hand, is regarded as '<span style="color: #4c1130;">Sampoorna Avatar</span>' (~ a total, complete, all-encompassing avatar). Thus, this </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">avatar is stated as indescribable (kim api). </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Now whether this could also mean that Lord Krishna - in his totality of manifestation - is Lord Kalki</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">ḥ</span></span></span></span> (<span class="blue">the Kalkiḥ-avatar or Kalkiḥ Maitreya</span>) ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours</i>. [~ But the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="blue">Kalkiḥ-avatar, a Knight-saviour, is regarded as Krishna+ and the best of the Dasavatara. ... A lone warrior who will stand against negativism and calamity at the end of Kaliyug (the 'Dark Age' - the age of ignorance/confusion/degeneration/decay; euphemistically also called the Metal/Machine Age or the <i>ghor Kaliyug phase</i>) and put things on the road to recovery. This avatar is also the least worldly of all the avatars - on account of association with kundalini.]</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Cosmic Entity has <span style="color: #4c1130;">ten principal avatars or manifestations</span> (not to be misconstrued for re-incarnation; the Cosmic Entity is <i>not</i> part of the <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>samsara</i></span> or karmic cycle of birth and re-birth) - to stabilize, preserve and guide the universe (and humanity) from time to time (as per:<i> <span style="color: #0c343d;">dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge</span></i> - to revive/rebuild/revitalize the principles of <i>dharma</i> - right, tangible actions for the greater/collective good, and <i>karm-yog</i> - individual and collective action i.e. effective, tangible and sustained karm-yog, even <i>nishkama karm-yog</i> ~ for the progress and betterment of society.) <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> The<i> <span style="color: #4c1130;">Dashavatara</span></i>(<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vevmG-pmNw"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></b></a></i>) refers to the ten principal avatars - as per his<i> </i>promised: <i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham</span> </i>(BG 4.7)<i> || ~ </i><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Cosmic Entity manifests (as a transcendental avatar) ~ whenever there is a great amount of turmoil and/or stagnation, confusion, deterioration and degeneration, i.e. when societal churn/'manthan' becomes too great ~ to prevent a collapse of basic structure of mankind; to stabilize the events/situation from spiraling out of control, and to help and guide mankind/humanity face the challenges posed... whenever negativism become too dominant and/or when there is stagnation and/or a lack of a sense of direction; or when humanity is unable to find a doable/effective solution to their myriad issues (i.e. when the odds/problems/challenges/impediments overtake and loom above the collective ability of humanity to find an effective solution/remedy). ~ Thus, the Cosmic Entity </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;">is also known as <i>kartaa</i>: The doer, <i>maargah</i>: The path, and <i>neyah</i>: The guide</span>. And thus, S/He is also known as 'Sudarshan' Vasudev Dhanvantari (</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">the Supreme Druid) - who arrives to stem the churn/manthan/turmoil ~ to stabilize, and to re-energize/rejuvenate... by providing <i>aoushata</i>(remedy, solutions) ~ so that humanity can (gradually) "heal", i.e. overcome/surmount the odds/challenges and find/regain its rhythm/mojo. [<i>Refer to Sahasrara Chakra, Kundalini, Ajna Chakra, etc - for 'Sudarshan Chakra'</i>.]</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Narayana/Narayani or Keshavah (<span style="color: #4c1130;">this nomenclature is not constrained by gender</span>) is the Cosmic Ruler (Jagat-patih) and Cosmic Teacher (Palanhare); also known as Ishvara/Ishvari, Mahat, God or the Almighty. [Keshavah means: one who is the three: <i>kah</i> Brahma, <i>ah</i>Vishnu and <i>Isa</i> Shiva; indicating the p<span class="kword">ower</span> of <span class="kword">Creation</span>, <span class="kword">Maintenance/Preservation</span>and <span class="kword">Dissolution (i.e. </span>the three <i>aspects</i> of Ishvara/Ishvari - the Cosmic Entity)<span class="kword">. </span>Narayana, as <i>Brahma</i>(the Creator aspect) has created fourteen planetary systems; Narayana sustains, maintains and preserves the universe as <i>Vishnu</i> (the Preserver/Maintainer aspect) and dissolves the universe at the end of maha-kalpa as Shiva or Rudra. ~ Thus the holy Trimurti is non-different from Narayana.<span class="kword"> <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b></span>Narayana is the name of Ishvara/Cosmic Entity/Primordial Being ~ in the infinite, all pervading form. Narayana also means: Enlightened Supreme/Primordial Being. Also: well-wisher and refuge of all beings. 'Coz Ishvara does not discriminate ~ as indicated by the Universal Form of the Primordial.<span class="kword">]</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="usercontent">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><span class="usercontent">A quote from Swami Vivekananda's speech (Welcome Address - Chicago, Sept 11, 1893) ~ in response to the warm and cordial welcome he received: </span>"<span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee</i></span>."</span><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">[Here is <span style="color: #4c1130;">'Tahare Arati Kare Chandra Tapan<span style="color: #351c75;"> Deva Manava</span>'</span>:&nbsp; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXJRACZvmKU"><b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">link</span></i></b></a>.]</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword">|| <i>Ekam Sat Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti</i> || ~ Truth (meaning: </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="kword"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span class="hp">the Eternal/</span><span class="text">Shaashvata i.e. </span><span class="hp">Sat/Satya; <i>also</i>, timeless essence/knowledge - para vidya) </span>is one, but the wise know/call it as many. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> In other words: God is one, but we can approach the Almighty in many ways.</span><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;">|| <i>eko vai nārāyaṇa āsīn na brahmā na īśāno nāpo nāgni-samau neme dyāv-āp</i></span></span><i> </i></b><i>ṛthivī na</i><b><i> </i></b><i>nakṣatrāṇi na sūryaḥ</i> || ~ "In the beginning of the creation there was only<b> </b>the Supreme/Primeval Being Nārāyaṇa. There was no Brahmā, no Śiva, no water, no fire,<b> </b>no<b> </b>moon, no stars in the sky, no sun."<b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;</span></span></b></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;">~ This </span></span></b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(perhaps)</span></span><b><span class="text"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> indicates that... in the beginning (of the creation) only the <i>Vishnu</i> aspect (i.e. the Preserver/Stabilizer/Maintainer <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>aspect</i></span>) of the Primordial Being existed.</span></span><span class="text">&nbsp;</span></b></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">|| <i>nārāyaṇaḥ paro devas tasmāj jātaś caturmukhaḥ tasmād rudro 'bhavad devaḥ sa ca sarva-jñatāḿ gataḥ</i> || ~ "Nārāyaṇa is the Supreme/Primordial/Primeval Being ~ from whom Brahmā was born, from whom Śiva was born."</span><span class="text">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">~ This indicates the gradual 'birth' (coming about/emergence) of the <i>other two aspects</i> of the Primordial Being #1. <i>Brahmā</i>(the Creator - i.e. the '</span>Srashtaa'<span class="text"> or Creator <i>aspect</i>of the Primordial Being) and #2. <i>Śiva</i> (~ the Dissolution <i>aspect</i> of the Primordial Being).</span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">BG 10.33: || <i>dhātāhaḿ viśvato-mukhaḥ</i>|| ~ "and of creators I am Brahmā."</span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 10.23: || <i>rudranam sankaras casmi</i> || ~ "Of all the Rudras I am Sankara" [Rudra-<span class="text">Śiva</span>].<span class="text"></span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">The Brahmā (Creator <i>aspect</i>) and Śiva (Dissolution <i>aspect</i>) are <i>time-specific</i>. While the <i>Vishnu</i>(Preserver/Stabilizer/Maintainer) <i>aspect</i> of the Primordial Being (Cosmic Entity) is <i>eternal</i>.</span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thus, BG 10.33: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>aham evākṣayaḥ kālo</i></span> || ~ "I am also inexhaustible time."</span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">And, BG 10.34: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham udbhavaś ca bhaviṣyatā</i>m</span> || ~ "I am all-consuming time, and I am the generating principle/cause/energy of all that is yet to be." (~ Alternatively: "I am all-consuming time, and I am too the birth of all that shall come into being.")</span><span class="text"> </span></span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text">~ The universe is mathematically precise, 'coz <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>time and tide wait for none</i></span>. </span>~ And so, the commencement and closure of yugs and maha-yugs; the transition from one yug to another or one maha-yug to another, too will happen on time. </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The universe/cosmos functions as per the Cosmic Plan. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The Cosmic Entity is <i>not</i> part of maanav-species; however, the avatars appear in their human/transcendental form (leela-avatars). And, whichever form the Purna Avatar or sagun swaroop (totality of manifestation/God manifest in human form) appears, <i>is</i> the Universal Form of the Primordial. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> </span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->The Cosmic Entity does not discriminate ~ as indicated by the Universal Form of the Primordial. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ Tagore envisioned a parallelism - the parallelism of welding together into one body various peoples (~ and this is reminiscent of the Universal Form of the Primordial. <i>Refer the relevant passages</i>.)</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">...................................................................... </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The Bhagavad-Gita is a magnificent text; the jewel of ancient Eastern spiritual wisdom, it is a text for all time, it is ever relevant, it is universal, and it belongs to the world</span>. The eighteen chapters (and 700 verses) are a part of the celebrated Mahabharata ('The Great History of the Bharatas'), and a treasure-trove of guidance, knowledge, wisdom, philosophical concepts and insights... about the purpose of life, the </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->two-fold path or <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>dvi-vidha nistha</i></span> - for karm-yogis and gyan-yogis respectively; about dharma (dharmic principles - right/positive, tangible actions for the greater/collective good) and karm-yog (walking the talk; to act, individually and collectively in a sustained manner - toward the common/collective goals/objectives); about prioritizing; about the need to differentiate between the positive and enduring (what is necessary/required/needed) and the negative and transient/ephemeral (trivia) - the swan/hamsah analogy; to finding happiness and contentment, inner transformation and tranquility; harmonious living; to building a good society - a better and vibrant society; about the cosmos, about the Cosmic Entity's various manifestations, the Universal Form, and much more. ~ Including: the distinction between the <i>Higher Self</i> (Supersoul/Param-atma) and the <i>mere Self</i> (Jiva-atma or the individual soul) - about the organic and deep connection (yog/sanjog) between Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul - <i>finites</i>) and Param-atma (the Higher Self or Supersoul&nbsp; - <i>the</i> <i>Infinite</i>). ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">This union of Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul) with the Param-atma (the Higher Self or Supersoul) is called <i>Sanaatan Dharma</i>; in other words: connecting (yog/sanjog) with the Higher Self ~ seeking communion (yog/sanjog) with the Universal Consciousness (Brahmn or Param-atma).</span> This results in Self-realization. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <i>Brahmn</i> is defined as the one self-existent impersonal spirit - the Divine Essence, from which all things emanate, by which they are sustained, and to which they return. ~ It is the light (divine effulgence, Cosmic Light or Divine Light) that impersonalists perceive in the <i><span style="color: #4c1130;">Nirguna</span> </i>(unmanifested - avyaktah/Niraakar) <i>mode</i>of God/Almighty. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> The Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul), on the other hand - transmigrates from one material body to another or to the other worlds/loka - based on one's karma. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ Karma is not comeuppance or retribution, but an opportunity for redemption. [Therefore, perhaps, the transmigration of a Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul) is as per the presence of or lack thereof... of a positive amount (remainder) of good karma.]</span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">BG 2.13:<i> || dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati || </i>~ "As the embodied soul continuously passes, in the material body, from childhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly transmigrates from one body to another. The self-realized (wherein the mere Self/Jiva-atma has achieved communion with the Higher Self/Param-atma, and therefore experienced eternal bliss or spiritual ecstasy of self-realization - sat-cit-ananda) or the temperate (dhirah = the temperate) is not bewildered/deluded by such a change."</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->BG 2.22<b><i> </i></b><i>|| vāsānsi jīrNāni yathā vihāya navāni grihNāti naro.aparāNi tathā śarīrāNi vihāya jīrNānyanyāni sanyāti navāni dehī || </i>~<b></b>"Just as a human being puts on new garments, casting off old and worn-out ones, the soul (Jiva-atma or mere Self) similarly takes up residence within new material bodies, giving up the old and infirm ones."<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">The verses can also be taken as a conversation between Jiva-atma (the mere Self or individual soul, <i>finite</i> ~ represented by Arjun) and the Param-atma (the Higher Self or Supersoul, <i>the</i> <i>Infinite</i> ~ Sri Krishn</span>. ... Since the Cosmic Entity is <i>manifested</i> Brahmn - vyaktah/Saakar Brahmn; Krishn is a male manifestation - transcendental form or leela-avatar - of the Cosmic Entity, the Primordial.) <span style="color: #660000;"><b>|</b></span> Arjun (and possibly even Draupadi) probably realized that Krishn was no ordinary human. Tagore said: <i>aamar khela jakhon chhilo tomar shoney, takhon keye tumi ta keye janto</i>. ~ Tagore also said: <i>praan chay chokkhu na chay... sundar eshe phire jaye tobe kaar lagi mithya ae shojja</i>. ~ Only the enlightened or self-realized&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;">(wherein the mere Self/Jiva-atma has achieved communion with the Higher Self/Param-atma, and therefore experienced the eternal/bliss or spiritual ecstasy of self-realization - sat-cit-ananda) can recognize the avatars ~ </span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">'coz they become a connected part of the greater cosmos. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">This happens due to the awakening of the subtle and dormant coil of spiritual energy known as the <i>kundalini</i> (</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">which exists in the sacrum bone - a large, triangular bone - at the base of the spine</span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">. <span style="color: #4c1130;">The process of Enlightenment or in other words Self-realization involves the gentle awakening of this living and conscious energy, so that it pervades the individual's entire being. Once this occurs, an individual is no longer disconnected from the universe around them - i.e. he/she is no longer confined inside his/her own head (due to ego, confusion, delusion, vainglory, etc).</span> Instead, the</span> mind is lit up, in a manner of speaking; </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;">the metaphoric <i>dimaag ki batti</i> is lit up - possibly depicted by the "halo"; it brings about self-knowledge and contentment - leading to Sat-cit-ānanda, the eternal bliss/spiritual ecstasy (total contentment) of "self-realization".</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"> Kundalini awakening connects a human to his or her Atman (Supersoul/Higher Self) - which is the source of all things. When an individual become totally connected with it, such a person becomes a Buddha (the Enlightened One) - eternal and filled with pure/timeless knowledge (para vidya). ~ Thus, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">probably Arjun could fully understand/comprehend + imbibe all that Krishn imparted to him. ... And so, BG 10.37: <span class="text"><i>|| <span style="color: #0c343d;">pāṇḍavānāḿ dhanañjayaḥ</span> </i></span>|| <span style="color: #351c75;">~ "I am <span class="text">Arjun among the Pandavs". <b>|</b></span> However, though the number of verses is 700, there is indication suggesting that the old manuscripts had 745 verses. Whether there were more than 745 verses, many of which now lost in the mists of time ~ <i>my guess is as good as yours.</i></span><i><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><b> </b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span><b> </b></i></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->By<i> <i>praan chay chokkhu na chay... sundar eshe phire jaye tobe kaar lagi mithya ae shojja</i></i> -<i><i> </i></i>Tagore probably advised/cautioned against excessive ritualism and focus/emphasis on trivia (unimportant or transient <i>aspects</i>) ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">which clouds the mind and intellect</span> - then one cannot connect to the greater whole, and so, one tends to miss the larger picture - the enduring (~ as symbolized by the <i>swan metaphor</i>). Tagore also emphasized on education - intellectual pursuits and intellectual curiosity (as opposed to rote-learning) ~ 'coz knowledge is likely to be wasted if it exists in a wisdom vacuum.<i><b> </b></i></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>One infinite pure and holy - beyond thought beyond qualities I bow down to thee</i></span>." - Swami Vivekananda.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous</i></span>." ~ Albert Einstein.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ Cannot agree more. </span></span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>........................................................... </b></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp">~ Krishn is universal (</span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>also refer to the passages on Krishn and Yug Purush/Renaissance Man</i>.) He is <span style="color: #4c1130;">Eternal/</span></span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="text">Shaashvata</span></span> (<i>Sat/Satya - eternal; </i></span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><i>also timeless essence/knowledge - para vidya</i>) and exudes grace, wisdom, generosity, work ethic, workmanship, dharmic excellence (right actions for the larger good: loka-kalyana or loka-sangraha), enlightenment and compassion/goodness (<span style="color: #4c1130;">Sundar</span>). </span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->He is <i>Mahat</i> - the Great One; He is <i>Viraat</i> - the Infinite. He is well-wisher of humanity, and thinks about the welfare, progress and prosperity of all beings throughout the cosmos; He is beyond human pettiness or small-mindedness. [</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->For the Cosmic Entity (Ishvara), as Cakravartin, the goals/objectives, the greater/collective good, the welfare of mankind/humanity and (thus) prioritization is important.] And so, he is compared to the swan. </span><span class="hp">~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">The swan is supposed to possess the ability to separate the water from the cream (in milk) - symbolizing the need to differentiate between positive aspects and negative aspects, the enduring (what is required/necessary or needed) and the ephemeral/transient (or trivial)</span>. He is also <span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>matsya</i></span> - the fish; for the betterment of mankind/humanity he will, if need be, swim against the tide; he will, thus, create opportunity and blaze a trail where none exists - for others to follow. <span style="color: #4c1130;">('Toxin' - negativism, including abuse, insults, slights, derision) does not deter him. [He is Ghanshyam - the all-absorbing one.]</span> <span style="color: #4c1130;">He </span></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->possessed the courage of his convictions, </span></span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">and never shirked from standing by his convictions/commitment - the collective goals/objectives: the larger good, the betterment of society.</span> (<i>Also, refer to Nishkama karma and karm-yogi at the end of this post</i>.) ~ Krishn is eternal; he is the Primordial (Aadinath), and therefore, has a wealth of experience, sagacity and wise counsel; he is also very clear-eyed, and hence, prescient; he thus</span><span class="hp"> steered the course through tortuous events et al... and put things on firmer ground (upward trajectory). </span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">A clear head, sound judgment, plenty of common sense, a pleasant personality, quietly magnificent, indomitable energy, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->personal magnetism, strategic and far-thinking, gumption and purpose, a quiet determination, magnanimity/generosity of spirit, </span></span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">a long-term vision and abundant patience, steadfastness (to stay the course, and not get demotivated by the magnitude of odds/challenges, or give up - due to slights or lack of instant results), tremendous ingenuity and work ethic, ardent convictions of duty (right, tangible actions, and not merely words or philosophy - for the betterment of society), the fortitude of the hero, with an unflinching courage of those convictions... he was not easily turned aside/away from whatever he undertook... by bigger and mightier obstacles/impediments/odds/challenges (than those of Treta).</span> [</span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->Each era/age/yug is distinct; viewing them through the prism of another will be misleading.] </span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]-->~ </span><span class="hp"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #4c1130;">His intensity is balanced by his enthusiasm and energy. However, usually appended to the more forceful virtues were gentler ones - humility, affability, approachability, affection and a genuine concern for the welfare of humanity. Krishn, thus, we can say, was striking in appearance and personality/character traits, but without ego (ahamkara) or vainglory</span>.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~ He is the Cosmic Teacher (Palanhare) and Cosmic Ruler (Jagat-patih/Jagadishvar) - rather a male manifestation of Ishvari (~ <i>as indicated by a non-rugged face</i>. The same holds for Shri Ram, Rudra-Siva, etc.) <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">As the Cosmic Teacher, he puts on a veneer - the avatars never announce themselves; he (also) holds a mirror to humanity</span>. <span style="color: #4c1130;">~ This <i>veneer</i> (probably) helps them to assesses humanity (~ their thought process, comprehension, perspective and cognitive abilities, calibre, mettle, the talent at hand, and so on). Also, whether they can (like the swan) differentiate between positive aspects and negative aspects; between what is necessary/important (enduring) and what is transient (trivial). ~ This is probably integral to his holding a mirror to society ~ to usher in clarity (so as to dispel confusion, apathy, indifference and ignorance). ~ To (thereby) help humanity/society to access itself; to 'awaken', to take cognizance, to shun negativism/pessimism/despondency/narrow parochial thoughts et al; to individually and collectively introspect... and then resort to collective, sustained and tangible actions (karm-yog) - to the best of their abilities; to also reset their inner compass. ~ All this will lead to gradual corrective action/course correction, including attitudinal and mindset change; in other words: towards organic, positive change - upward trajectory/turnaround</span>. <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> As he says, everything happens due to collective karm-yog (effective, tangible actions - for the betterment of society) or lack of collective, timely and tangible karm-yog; thus, the downward slide (into quagmire) or the gradual degeneration/decay of a society/civilization also comes about due to lack of timely action (i.e. lack of timely, collective, tangible and sustained karm-yog). BG 2.47: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>karmaNi eva adhikaaraste maa phaleshu kadaachana, maa karma phala hetuH bhuH maa sanghaH astu akarmaNi</i></span> || ~ "Thy business is with the action (i.e. timely, tangible, effective and sustained karm-yog) only, never with its fruits (outcome); so let not the fruits of action be thy motive, nor be thou to inaction (apathy, indifference) attached." [In other words: <i>Do your karma (to the best of your ability) and leave the rest to God</i>. Also: <span style="color: #0c343d;">Never give up</span>.] ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">Thus, remaining inactive (i.e. collective shirking of responsibility, based on individual responsibility, inclination, nature or traits) or being a fence-sitter or being weak-minded is not advisable</span>. Instead, the focus should be on performing collective, tangible and sustained karm-yog... as best as possible. <span style="color: #4c1130;">Perfunctoryness is not a substitute</span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> [sri-bhagavan uvaca/Sri Bhagavan said (2-2)]: || <span style="color: #0c343d;"><i>kutas tva kasmalam idam visame samupasthitam anarya-justam asvargyam akirti-karam arjuna</i> </span>|| ~ "Arjuna! Why are you indulging in such negative thoughts at such a critical time? Such ignoble/un-Aryan (AnArya Justam) behaviour (traits) is unbecoming, it will not gain you entry into higher worlds (Asvargyam = heavenly planets); it will also not allow you to perform your sva-dharma (duties and responsibilities based on his nature, traits, position, etc)." [~ Krishn chides Arjun - for shirking/running away from his true calling as a warrior (in the battle of ideas, principles, inclusivity, progress and vision - for the betterment of society, for the future of humanity).] <span style="color: #660000;">|</span> ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">It is also an exhortation/advise to all of humanity: to overcome dejection/pessimism etc; to shun cynicism, complacency, procrastination and negative thoughts/negativism - to the best of their ability; to remain cheerful (positive attitude/morale), to cultivate inner fortitude; to not get overwhelmed by negativism and/or lack of quick, instant outcome (to seemingly insurmountable odds), and to remain steadfast in reaching the collective goals/objectives. ~ Frustration or dejection is for the weak-minded, and serves no purpose</span>. <b><span style="color: #660000;">|</span></b> ~ <span style="color: #4c1130;">There is no magic wand, no quick-fix, no instant solutions (to overcome challenges/impediments to collective/societal progress and prosperity, especially if these have been left to fester or have come about over a period of time or over several generations; 'coz it then requires attitudinal/mindset ch